Could Lions look to trade WR Jameson Williams?

As a first-rounder from the 2022 draft class, Jameson Williams is among the players which will soon be the subject of a fifth-year option decision. He is likely to have his option picked up, but questions loom about the wideout’s future in Detroit.

The Lions traded up on Day 1 of the 2022 draft to acquire Williams. Expectations were high as a result for the Alabama product once he became available, but his ACL recovery led to a rookie campaign which was essentially a write-off. Gambling and PED suspensions limited Williams to only 12 games in 2023, but he showed plenty of potential as a deep threat. He took a major step forward this past campaign, posting a 58-1,001-7 statline.

Exercising Williams’ option would set him up to receive $15.49M in 2026. That figure would prove to be reasonable if the 24-year-old duplicated his 2024 success, but the Lions already have a long list of lucrative commitments on offense. That includes fellow wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose deal averages just over $30M per season. With that pact on the books and others (on defense) soon to follow, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports some around the NFL believe Williams could be a trade candidate.

The Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC last season, and another run at the Super Bowl is expected for the 2025 campaign. Williams would be positioned to reprise his role as a complementary option to St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta, operating as one of the league’s top deep threats. Last season, Williams averaged 17.3 yards per reception, and his catch percentage (63.7%) marked a notable improvement from the previous season.

It would therefore come as no surprise if another strong season were to be in store for 2025. The Lions already have St. Brown, along with quarterback Jared Goff, offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker as well as running back David Montgomery on lucrative contracts, however. LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be eligible for extensions next offseason. By the time those two have a second contract in hand, Aidan Hutchinson will likely be among the league’s highest-paid defenders, a factor which will no doubt influence roster-building moves in the short-term future.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently noted the cost of retaining receivers on long-term deals when speaking about the potential of extending Williams. A pact near the top of the market (which now sits at $40.25M per year) would not be in store in the event a new Lions deal were to be worked out. Still, making another commitment on offense would prove to be cumbersome. As a result, Williams’ status will be worth watching as the draft and the May 1 deadline for fifth-year option decisions approach.