NFL Draft 2022: Recap and analysis after the weekend of picks

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Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the twelfth overall pick to the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Best aggressive move: Detroit Lions move up for Jameson Williams

As a run on receivers began with Drake London going No. 8 overall, the Lions were smart to move up and get the reigning first-team All-American. He may be coming off a torn ACL in the national title game, but that was after he piled up 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021.

Not only is he an elite deep threat, but Williams was also one of the top return men in the draft. He averaged 35.2 yards per kick return and had two kick return TDs last season despite only taking in 10 kicks.

Williams, in my opinion, could be the team’s best wideout since Calvin Johnson retired after the 2015 season. And while Jared Goff is under center, Williams should lead a receiving corps that also features T.J. Hockenson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, and the newly acquired D.J. Chark.

He may not be the same player in terms of size, but they don’t compare players to Tyreek Hill too often. And it makes sense; Williams had a knack to separate like no other in college football a season ago.

Detroit got better with Williams, and some of its other picks, so better days should be ahead for Dan Campbell’s squad in the Motor City.

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