Lions GM says former first-round pick needed 'to grow up'

The biggest reason the Lions have been successful recently is that their draft picks are living up to and sometimes exceed expectations. However, that can't be said for all of Detroit's selections.

Wide receiver Jameson Williams, the team's first-round pick (No. 12) in 2022, has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL, during which he registered just 25 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns in 18 games.

Part of Williams' lack of success is due to injuries and a four-game suspension for gambling, but general manager Brad Holmes believes the 23-year-old just needed to grow up.

"I'm sure you guys have talked to him already, and he's told you that he had to mature a lot, and you saw that," Holmes said via the team's website. "We do a lot of research and background on all of these players that we acquire, and we had a good sense of who Jamo was as a person, but we definitely felt comfortable that he was going to be a fit for us, and he's shown the growth. When we drafted him, we said, 'He's going to need to grow up a little bit.' And he did, so it's been right on pace."

Williams was electric in the final season of his collegiate career at Alabama, reeling in 68 catches for 1,445 yards and 15 touchdowns. So it makes sense why the Lions were willing to take a chance on him.

He faced numerous obstacles in the first two years of his professional career, but there have yet to be any heading into his third season. That has made Holmes excited about what he could do in 2024.

"You can clearly tell he's put the work in, and he's been working even harder," Holmes added. "It means something to him. This kid loves football. I mean he loves football, and I think it's very evident in the results that you saw this training camp that the work that he's put in."

The Lions haven't needed to rely on Williams to play a large role in their pass attack thanks to the high-quality play of fellow wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond and tight end Sam LaPorta.

Detroit made it to the AFC Championship game last season without Williams ever making a significant impact. But Holmes believes if Williams can continue learning from the veterans around him, he and the offense can be even more special this year.

"Obviously, you have an elite player like St. Brown, and forget the performance, but how his intangibles are and Kalif Raymond," Holmes concluded. "He's got really good guys to look upon and follow. He's seen how they work, but you can see the results that's shown in camp."