As various reports have confirmed, the Kansas City Chiefs will host Alabama WR Jameson Williams for a visit on Friday. Last week, the team hosted Georgia wideout George Pickens and it seems like Kansas City is very interested in taking a wide receiver in the first round either by moving up or selecting one with the 29th or 30th picks.
With last month’s recent blockbuster trade of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs are now sitting fat and happy with eight picks in the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. While other positions of need (corner, edge, safety) remain at the forefront, packaging picks to move up or selecting a quality receiver at 29/30 still makes all the sense in the world.
What would Jameson look like in KC?
Jameson Williams: Why We Like It
Williams is an extremely versatile athlete with adequate size and electrifying speed. In addition to amassing 1,500 yards for the SEC Champions Alabama Crimson Tide, he also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. His ability to blow by corners and his lightning quick hand speed point to a very promising NFL career. In 2021, Williams led the FBS with 11 touchdowns of 30 yards or more which would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs high-octane offense especially with adequate slot receivers on the roster.
“Jameson Williams is the closest thing to Tyreek Hill in this Draft.” ESPN Senior Draft Analyst Todd McShay said last week. “Why not package those additional picks, go up and get a difference maker.”
-Todd McShay ESPN’s “Get Up”
College Stats
| Stats | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG | FUM | LST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 1,572 | 19.9 | 15 | 94 | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 154 | 17.1 | 2 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 112 | 18.7 | 1 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What We Don’t Like
Before enrolling at Alabama in 2021, Williams had just 15 catches in two years at Ohio State so he’s a late bloomer. There are also concerns about his lean frame and ability to beat the jam against physical receivers. There is also the injury issue. Williams tore his ACL in Alabama’s win over Georgia last December and his availability for the 2022 season is uncertain although all signs are good on the rehab front. Will the Chiefs have to use valuable draft capital to trade up to take a player that is coming off an injury and may not be available for a month or so?
Overall
The Chiefs are going to have every opportunity to add depth and address their needs in this draft. While many Chiefs fans are clamoring to rebuild the defense, it’s also important to continue to surround Mahomes with adequate weapons. Whether you are talking about moving up to take a Jameson Williams type or watching the chips fall and taking a Pickens/Treylon Burks, rest assured that Brett Veach and the Chiefs are looking closely at the receiver position.
