2022 NFL Draft: Could Bama WR Jameson Williams Push For Round 1?

Could Alabama WR Jameson Williams make a push for the first round in the 2022 NFL Draft?

The Alabama Crimson Tide continue to produce top talent at the wide receiver position for the NFL Draft, with two first round picks in each of the last two drafts. The four are already making noise in the NFL in such a short time. So who is next in terms of draft-eligible receivers? John Metchie III obviously came into the season with the pedigree and potential to put up massive numbers as the top guy. However, it’s the guy opposite him who might end up going higher in the 2022 NFL Draft. Jameson Williams has been the guy to watch in red and white. Is it possible he could reach first round discussion?

Williams initially played for Ohio State, but was buried on the roster and chose to transfer to Alabama, where opportunity arose with Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle leaving for the NFL. He’s made the most of it so far, catching 29 passes for 587 yards and six touchdowns, averaging over 20 yards per reception.

There’s so much that stands out with a player like Williams when the tape comes on. The first is the explosion and short area burst he brings to the table. He had a 94 yard touchdown in the opener against Miami and a 75 yard score against Mississippi State last week. Once the ball is in his hands, Williams has that short area burst and long speed to pull away from defenders and make angles difficult for defenders in the open field. In fact, his touchdown last week was very reminiscent of Waddle’s against Auburn in 2019.

Even more important than his game-breaking speed is Williams’ separation quickness. He’s dynamic at the line of scrimmage and works well to gain initial separation with a speed release, where he can quickly plant his foot in the ground and show off the burst into his stem. That ability create separation immediately translates very well to the NFL.

So could Jameson Williams push for round 1 in the 2022 NFL Draft? The formula is there. His long speed, short area burst, flexibility, stop/start quickness, and ability to separate quickly make the case. We know how much NFL teams like speed in receiver prospects, so it’s not a wild proposition. The question for Williams is his ability to separate at all levels against more talented and physical corners. Being a consistent separator is a huge deal. Williams also has a great deal of names to pass on the way up.

Finishing strong will be key for Williams to fly up draft boards. He’s been excellent to this point, but because his sample size is so small, seeing it through the end of 2021 will be crucial. Should he enter the draft, the combine becomes important for him as well. His testing numbers would excite NFL teams to see what they can unlock with Williams at the next level. It’s not overly likely, but Jameson Williams has an excellent set of tools to make it possible.