Jameson Williams Scouting Report and 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Report

 

Wide Receiver, Alabama, # 1

Jameson Williams Scouting Report Measurements

6′ 1 1/2″ / 180 lbs.

40 Time: 4.29-4.35

 

 

Jameson Williams NFL Draft Profile

 

 

High School

Williams attended Cardinal Ritter College Prep in Saint Louis, Missouri. While Williams was a junior, he was a two sport athlete in football and track where he holds the state record in the 300-Meter Hurdles and won two titles. He led his football team to the Missouri Class 3 State Championship Game his senior year. He was ranked the #2 WR in the state and the 15th in the country by ESPN. 247Sports had him as a 4-Star prospect and top 150 in the country. He collected over 30 offers, but ultimately decided to attend The Ohio State University.

 

College

While at OSU, he played in 22 career games, totaling 15 receptions for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. He played as more of a deep threat with limited but impactful catches, averaging 17.1 yards per catch in 2020. In 2021 he transferred to Alabama, immediately becoming a starting receiver. He exploded onto the scene in the very first game against Miami with 4 catches 126 yards (with a long of 94) and a touchdown. This level of play continued for the entire season. He was a premier home run threat for the Tide. Jameson Williams broke out in his junior season totaling 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. He played in all 15 games for the Tide, but suffered a torn ACL in the National Championship game.

 

Jameson Williams Strengths

 

Elite Speed

The first thing that jumps off the tape with Williams is his rare speed and acceleration. Having a track background really shows in the way he plays. He is a long strider and he eats up ground in a hurry. His game can take the top off of the defense. There are plenty of times on film where he is running side by side with the corner, splits the over the top coverage, the QB just throws it as far as he can, and he hits another gear to run under the ball, using his exceptional acceleration. You can not overthrow him, and that makes defenders fearful on every play.

YAC Ability

Not only is he a threat deep, but he can take short routes the distance as well. If he has even a slight crease, he can obliterate opposing defenders. Not only does he use his rare speed and acceleration, but he can change direction on a dime, using very subtle cuts to leave defenders wondering where he went. Due to this ability, Alabama used him in many different ways. Not only on deep routes, but also bubble/tunnel screens, slot routes like slants and drags, and touch pass/jet sweeps. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands on all levels of the field.

Use as a Decoy

Because of his ability with the ball, Williams use as a decoy on plays is very valuable. Whether in the run or pass game, the defense must know where he is on the field at all times. This frees up opportunities for his teammates. In the run game, by using jet or orbit motions, Williams influences the LBs by making sure they account for him. In the pass game, he often aquires bracket coverage with a corner and safety over the top, allowing for single coverage on the other receivers. Just his presence on the field can completely change the way a defense plays. I’m sure fellow team mate John Metchie III would agree.

 

Jameson Williams Areas of Improvement

 

Route Running

Other than using his speed, Williams is very raw as a route runner. Because of his long strides, it takes him a long time to tempo down and get in and out of breaks. His best routes, by far, are any vertical routes where he can just use his speed and post routes. When running any route that requires more than just sticking his foot in the ground with a slight change of angle, he struggles mightily. For these reasons, he has a very small route tree that he runs effectively. He is slow to separate when he cannot abuse his speed. Williams also needs to learn route maneuvering skills. There is no tempo, headfakes, or foot fire to keep defenders guessing. This means he has a difficult time with short and intermediate routes, the routes that require more technique.

Body Type

Williams is very long and lanky. He has a skinnier frame that can be taken advantage of if hands are put on him. He is not the strongest, relying more on his speed to bail him out. For this reason, he is often bumped off his routes, especially crossing routes that go near the LBs. This is also very prominent when he is pressed at the LOS. Williams does not have a variety of moves, and shows below average hand fighting. He struggles with contact, and requires open space to operate. This flaw also shows up when adjusting to the ball. He has a good ability to catch in traffic when the ball is put right on him, but when he has to go up for contested balls, he can be outmatched.

Effort

Receptions and touchdowns can get you playing time, but the dirty work is what separates the average from the great. Take Cooper Kupp as an example. He would do anything for the team and when a QB and playcaller can trust a player to do that, the production always follows. Blocking as a receiver, although not the MOST important job, can be vital for the success of the offense, and Williams struggles with this. Whether on a run play to his side, or when a teammates is running with the ball, he shows little effort to block downfield. I also saw that if he is not the primary route, there are times when he would take a play off.

Jameson Williams Draft Stock

Before the injury, Williams was considered one of the top in the receivers in the class. His stock has dropped some, but he is still considered a 1st rounder. Some reports are saying he is ahead of the scheduled 5-7 month recovery time, meaning he could be ready for training camp. Picking him up later in the first round would be a steal if he is ready for the season.

Pro Comparison

A taller DeSean Jackson is all I see when reviewing Williams. He is a pure deep threat that creates nightmares for opposing defenses with his ability to go deep and be a home run threat from anywhere on the field at any given moment.

 

Conclusion on Jameson Williams Scouting Report

Williams, although rehabbing a Torn ACL, is a premiere athlete. He has rare long speed and acceleration and is a danger at all levels of the field, even when he does not have the ball. Due to his frame and effort, I do not see him as a true #1 and believe he would need a more physical WR to compliment his skills. That being said, his tools and traits cannot be overlooked, and in the right WR room, he can become a dangerous weapon. Another DraftDive analyst has him in his top 5 receivers of the 2022 NFL draft.

Jameson Williams Scouting Report Analyst- Austin Cundiff.