Could Mike Williams Hit New Heights With LA Chargers In 2022?

The 2021 season could be described as a “leap year” for LA Chargers WR Mike Williams. Could he reach new heights this fall?

For Mike Williams, the sledding hasn’t always been easy. The expectations that came with a top 10 selection in 2017 by the Los Angeles Chargers hit hard, and through two seasons (despite a 10 touchdown 2018) the talk was about how the Chargers could’ve selected Patrick Mahomes instead.

Now that the Chargers have Justin Herbert, the talk of “could’ve had (insert name)” has subsided. Still though, most would still have called Williams a bust in relative terms to where he was drafted, especially with a couple others on day two hitting crazy heights, like Cooper Kupp.

Enter the 2021 season, where Williams enjoyed the most success he’s had. His connection with Herbert produced a 76-catch, 1,146-yard, and nine touchdown season. The offense was consistent all year long, and Williams continued to develop into a reliable chain-mover as well as his work downfield in the air.

A question lingered about in the offseason, with many wondering if LA would upgrade the receiver room, even after drafting Josh Palmer in the third round of the 2021 draft. The arms race in the AFC West started that thought process, and it looked more possible with the addition made in free agency, getting both J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack to boost the defense.

The Chargers stuck with their plan though, selection Zion Johnson in the first round and adding more on the offensive line and defensive back rooms throughout the draft. The receiver room stays intact as it was last season. Could that mean new heights for Williams?

Don’t rule it out. He’s still coming into his own as a late bloomer, working more on getting back down the line on his vertical route tree. He’s always been dominant with go routes and winning at the catch point, but improving his hip sink and break efficiency has helped him become a threat at more levels of the field. Combine that with Herbert working to consistently take calculated shots down the field, and that could lead to even more opportunities that surpass his 129 targets (or rather see more of those converted).

As the Chargers see the offensive line round into form, and the unit continues to gel as a whole, the parts of the sum continue to rise. Mike Williams could be in store for a historic campaign, proving that he can be a WR1 in the NFL. The 2022 season for him should be a fun one to watch.