Jaguars should target WR Jameson Williams if available in 2nd round

Finishing dead last in points scored last season isn’t the kind of accomplishment the Jacksonville Jaguars expected to achieve when they hired Urban Meyer. However, there’s a new regime in place, and the Jags revamped their offense in free agency to ensure they score more points and don’t end in the NFL cellar once again in 2022. However, they could still add a few more weapons in the 2022 NFL Draft and if Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams is available in the second round, they should strongly consider taking him.

Bryant Horn of Pro Football Focus recently wrote about Williams and his role as a deep threat. Horn praises the Missouri native’s ability to stretch the field and notes that he fares well when compared with other wide receivers that were taken early in the past seven drafts.

"Not only does the 2022 NFL Draft prospect matchup with current young stars like Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith and Denver’s Jerry Jeudy, but he posted better stats than Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley and Cleveland’s Amari Cooper. Williams’ 93.4 receiving grade on deep passes is the fourth-best of the 10 Alabama receivers who saw at least 10 deep targets from 2014 to 2021. He is also tied for third in single-season deep receptions with 13 and leads the pack in single-season deep receiving yards at 671, almost one hundred more than second-placed, eventual Heisman-winner DeVonta Smith."

Williams is currently listed as the third-best receiver prospect in PFF’s big board but the truth is that his place in other draft boards may vary significantly. Had the Alabama product not tore his ACL last season, he would have most likely been the top receiver in this year’s class but it’s uncertain how much his injury will affect his draft stock. Those teams that wouldn’t mind waiting for him to fully recover could easily grab him in the first round, maybe between the 15th and 32nd pick, so he could be gone by the Jags are on the clock in the second round.

The Jaguars may have competition for Jameson Williams in the draft.

Two teams who could target Williams are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers. Both clubs traded their star wide receivers and got a first-round selection (among other picks) in return. The Packers got the 22nd overall pick from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Davante Adams while the Chiefs obtained the 29th overall choice when they traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Then again, it’s not a given that either team will take a wide receiver, let alone Williams.

Keep in mind that Kansas City and Green Bay might not be the only teams interested in taking a wide receiver in the first round but if Williams ultimately falls to the Jaguars’ lap in the second round, they shouldn’t hesitate to call dibs on him. After all, they signed Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency but neither is a deep threat of William’s caliber.

Moreover, the Jaguars addressed most needs in free agency, and they can take care of the one they didn’t (pass rusher) with the first overall pick. The team’s brass could also take an interior offensive lineman, a tight end, or a linebacker with the 33rd overall pick but they shouldn’t pass on the chance to take Williams if presented with the opportunity.

So far, the Jaguars have done a good job of getting Trevor Lawrence weapons this offseason and they can round out their wide receiver corps with Williams in the second round of the draft.