Lions' Dan Campbell: WR Jameson Williams a 'man on a mission'

The Detroit Lions are counting on Jameson Williams to make a Year 3 leap.

According to head coach Dan Campbell’s assessment, so far, so good.

Talking to reporters on Thursday morning, Campbell said Williams is the most improved player since the start of the spring workouts, via Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website.

“He’s a man on a mission, and I’m just gonna leave it at that,” Campbell added, per Colton Pouncey of The Athletic.

Probed on where Williams has improved, Campbell replied: “Everywhere.”

Jamo’s career has gotten off to a wobbly start. Detroit knew when it moved up in the first round of the 2022 draft that his rookie season would likely be a redshirt campaign coming off an ACL tear. Williams participated in six games, catching one pass for a 41-yard TD.

The wideout missed the first four games of the 2023 season due to a gambling suspension, and the rest of the campaign was an up-and-down ride. A few splash plays, like a 45-yard TD against Tampa in Week 6 or the 42-yard rushing score in the NFC Championship Game, showed Williams’ upside. But on a game-to-game, down-to-down basis, he struggled with consistency and concentration, leading to drops.

Williams finished 2023 with 24 catches for 354 yards and two TDs in 12 regular-season games. He ranked fifth on the Lions in yards and sixth in catches.

The Lions lost No. 2 wideout Josh Reynolds in free agency and didn’t make a significant addition to the group this offseason, including passing on the position during the draft.

Every sign points to Detroit believing Williams is ready to go from gadget player to every-down force. If he does, the Lions’ already efficient offense will become more explosive. However, if Campbell’s offseason optimism dies on the vine, the club could be searching for aid at the trade deadline.