Last week was a good one for Jameson Williams. Detroit’s mercurial wideout put up a strong fantasy line that was much needed, looking like a big part of the game plan against a solid Minnesota secondary. But can we trust in consistent production going forward? Or are Williams fantasy managers doomed to ride the ups and downs for the rest of the season?
Analysis
In their loss to the Vikings, Williams reeled in four catches for 66 yards — including a 37-yard score deep in the fourth quarter that reminded us of his explosive potential. But Week 9’s game was also a reminder of his limitations.
Williams was behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta in snaps, targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He was a distant third fiddle until the last drive. Of course, for fantasy purposes, garbage time counts all the same. Yet it’s challenging to forget performances like the one in Week 7 against the Buccaneers. In that game, Williams was targeted twice and recorded no catches or rushes — a goose egg on the scoreboard. The floor for Jamo is quite literally the floor.
It’s nothing new this season, or for his career. There has always been some boom-or-bust element to his game. But that has been exacerbated this season as Detroit’s offense has regressed without Ben Johnson calling the plays.
Through eight games, Jamo has three 10+ point PPR performances. In his other five starts, he’s averaging 4.1 PPR points, including two performances with two points or less. It’s a maddening lack of consistency for fantasy owners. Every boom week leaves us asking the same question: Is this finally the time when Williams figures out how to be consistent?
The verdict
I can’t place consistent trust in the guy. Time and time again, we’re left with the same problem: There are too many mouths to feed in the Detroit offense. Besides the two receiving targets ahead of him, there are two running backs who demand high use as well. The boom-or-bust is here to stay unless injury strikes ahead of him.
Volatility can be good in fantasy. Stack enough boom-or-bust guys, and you can ride the good weeks to crucial wins. But don’t make the mistake of overrating Jamo; he’s as likely to put up a zero as he is to carry your fantasy team.
