2017 NFL Rookie Projections: Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams
By Zach Goodall
Mike Williams was the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, and in Part 7 of a 32-part series, a look at his projections as a rookie.
The second receiver off of the board in the 2017 NFL Draft, Mike Williams has a bit less of a chance to find immediate success in the NFL than Corey Davis.
Williams heads to the Los Angeles Chargers as the No. 2 receiver, which is rare for a receiver drafted as high as the seventh pick, behind Keenan Allen. That factoid right there automatically reduces stress for WIlliams as he begins his career out in Hollywood.
Williams not only gives Philip Rivers a reliable weapon opposite of Keenan Allen, but also an insurance policy at WR1. Allen has faced several injuries during his NFL career, including a broken collarbone in 2014, a kidney injury in 2015, and a torn ACL in 2016. Despite all of this, Allen was given a four-year, $45 million contract extension in June of 2016.
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Given Allen being in L.A. for the long run, Williams will definitely not be depended on as if he is the Chargers’ only receiving weapon. In fact, the Chargers also have speedster Travis Benjamin and a solid No. 4 WR in Dontrelle Inman on the roster, giving Philip Rivers, who tossed 33 touchdowns in 2016 in spite of missing Allen, a plethora of options in the passing game.
Given all of these receivers around him, assuming all of which are healthy as the 2017 season goes on, it will take time for Williams to stand out and produce big numbers.
The former Tiger recorded 177 catches for 2727 yards and 21 touchdowns in his 38-game career at Clemson, so I don’t doubt he can produce. It will just take time for him to establish himself in a crowded Los Angeles Chargers’ receiving corps.
Next: NFL 2017: The 50 most untradeable players
Williams missed the Chargers’ offseason program with a mild herniated disc, but is expected to be back for training camp. If this is the case, and Williams remains healthy, I project him to catch about 750 yards on 50 receptions and six touchdowns in 2017, and I believe he will start to truly break out in the latter half of the season.