Jamaal Williams - Fantasy Points Outlook

What You Need to Know:

• Formerly in Green Bay, Williams signed a 2-year, $7.5 million deal with Detroit in March of ’21.
• He went on to record 10+ carries in 9 of 13 games.
• Williams missed 2 games with a thigh injury; 2 on the COVID list.
• He played 2 games without D’Andre Swift. In those, he totaled 17 carries (1 target) and 19 carries (0 targets).
• Both backs played 13 games, with Williams narrowly out-carrying Swift (153 vs. 151).
• Williams beat Swift in several key rushing metrics, but he still wasn’t spectacular. Among 31 RBs with 150+ attempts, Williams ranked 23rd in PFF rushing grade, 21st in YAC per attempt and 25th in Elusive Rating.
• Williams wasn’t much of a threat on passing downs. He posted games of 9 and 5 targets but finished with only 2 catches per game on the year. Swift averaged ~4.8
• Overall, Williams was a thorn in the side of Swift’s fantasy owners. Williams saw 22 red zone rushes vs. 19 for Swift.
• Volume figures to be key for Williams going forward, as he wasn’t efficient with just 3.9 YPC.
• ’21 OC Anthony Lynn — whose background is in the backfield — departed over the offseason. TE coach Ben Johnson was prompted to OC, but it’s unclear if Johnson or HC Dan Campbell will call plays.
• Williams’ contract locks him into the #2 role to open the 2022 season. But with Swift returning to see a sizable rushing share and most of the backfield receiving work, Williams’ upside is limited.
• The Detroit offense at least looks much better on paper. While Jared Goff returns for year 2, the Lions added 2 field-stretchers in DJ Chark and rookie Jameson Williams, who's coming off a December ACL tear.
• Detroit’s O-line should take a step forward as well, especially with stud OT Penei Sewell entering his 2nd season.

Draft Sharks Bottom Line:

Williams should retain a decent-sized early-down role in his 2nd season with Detroit. There’s just not much upside to chase here, especially in PPR formats. D’Andre Swift returns to handle the bulk of the backfield receptions. And Jared Goff’s WR corps is much improved from 2021.

It leaves Williams as a low-end FLEX with fill-in RB2 appeal should Swift miss more time.