Lions take Jameson Williams after big trade up with Vikings
The Detroit Lions traded up from No. 32 to No. 12 to select Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Lions dealt picks Nos. 32, 34, and 66 in exchange for the Minnesota Vikings' 12th and 46th overall selections, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
Williams is coming off an ACL tear but was regarded as one of the top receivers in the 2022 class. USC's Drake London and Ohio State wideouts Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave all went off the board prior to the former Alabama prospect.
The Lions have now added Williams and free agent DJ Chark to their receiving corps this offseason. They'll also return second-year wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who led the club with 912 yards last campaign.
Williams caught 79 passes for 1,572 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2021.
Detroit also selected Michigan pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall pick.
Scouting profile: Jameson WilliamsSchool | Height | Weight | 40 time |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 6'1 | 179 | DNP |
Williams is currently rehabbing from a late-season ACL tear that puts his rookie year availability in doubt. Even with the injury uncertainty, he's a top-three WR prospect in this class with a chance to eventually be the best of the bunch. Prior to undergoing knee surgery, he poured in a 78-catch, 1,561-yard, 15-touchdown campaign for the Crimson Tide - showcasing a devastating combination of speed and electric agility to shake defenders and leave them in his wake. The 21-year-old is more than just a field-stretcher, though. His ball tracking, body, control, and yards-after-catch skills make him a difference-maker with an opportunity to be exceptional at the next level.
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