Lions WR Jameson Williams: What's Next for Ascending No. 8 Player?
Lions WR Jameson Williams: What's Next for Ascending No. 8 Player?
What will Williams do for encore after career year?Christian Booher|
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Detroit LionsThe Detroit Lions made the decision to cement Jameson Williams as part of the long-term core on the eve of the 2025 season.
On the day before the regular season kicked off, Williams and the Lions agreed to a three-year contract extension that would keep him in Detroit long-term. The wideout went on to have a career year, setting new personal bests in receptions and receiving yards.
Now, Williams has an opportunity to continue ascending entering his fifth NFL season. He has asserted himself as a very reliable second option behind All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.
With Williams now a proven veteran, he will be a key part of the team's offensive success in 2026. That's why he comes in as the team's No. 8 most important player for the 2026 season.
Top 25 Detroit Lions of 2026: Ranking Every Player Based on Impact
Why Williams is so important
Williams has elite speed, as he accelerates at a level that is rare for elite receivers. Because of this, he's always a threat down the field and as a result defenses have to commit resources or run the risk of being burned.
Because of the threat that his speed presents, teams must pay extra attention to him. However, he has also emerged as a more complete receiver with each season in the NFL. Williams continues to develop his intermediate route-running, which makes him an even bigger threat.
Additionally, the Lions have relied on him at times with jet sweeps in the run game. He gives the offense an all-around weapon, and makes the offense more dynamic every time he touches the ball.
Williams' strengths and weaknesses
The most obvious strength of Williams' is his speed. He gets to his top speed quickly, and routinely outruns defenders on vertical routes. Detroit has found different ways to weaponize this, as he can run go routes or gain speed on defenders with deep crossers.
Williams has had to develop his hands throughout his career, as at points early on he struggled with drops. However, he seems to have ironed that part of his game out.
Now, Williams is continuing to become a more complete option. He has become more of an intermediate threat for the offense, and the team has also utilized him plenty in the screen game in an effort to get him out in space.
What happens if Williams gets hurt?
If Williams were to miss time with an injury, the team would feel his absence drastically. For one, it would be something of a relief to opposing defenses as they wouldn't have the deep threat over the top.
Additionally, Williams' presence takes some of the attention off the shoulders of Amon-Ra St. Brown. An All-Pro receiver in his own right, St. Brown is a huge threat over the middle and Williams' presence has the ability to take the attention of safeties to open up the middle for St. Brown.
Next in line behind Williams is Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit's second-year receiver who is primed for a breakout season after showing plenty of promise in his rookie campaign.
Detroit also has veteran Greg Dortch and second-year wideout Dominic Lovett in the mix, alongside franchise mainstay Tom Kennedy who is always reliable in a pinch.
To help fill out their wide receiver depth, the Lions signed four UFL receivers at the conclusion of rookie minicamp to help fill out the roster.
Why we ranked Williams here
Williams is a valuable part of the team's offense, and his impact is paramount. He gives the team the ability to launch downfield at a moment's notice, and big plays are in short order when his number is called.
In his fifth NFL season, Williams appears primed to have another big year. He is coming of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, demonstrating plenty of consistency. Now, the only question remains what comes next for the talented wideout.
Published 50 minutes ago
CHRISTIAN BOOHERSports journalist who has covered the Detroit Lions the past three NFL seasons. Christian brings expert analysis, insights and an ability to fairly assess how the team is performing in a tough NFC North division.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
