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Options for the Lions at receiver with Jameson Williams suspended

Posted on by Kennedy
Options for the Lions at receiver with Jameson Williams suspended

Let's make sure we get one thing clear: There's no replacing the threat of Jameson Williams.

Much like Aidan Hutchinson's game-winning ability as a pass rusher is unique, Williams has speed that no other Lions receiver can match. Hutchinson is, of course, the more impactful player at this point in his career, but that one trait – the pure octane power with which Williams runs – will not be restored while the third-year pro is reportedly serving a two-game suspension for violating the policy the league on performance-enhancing substances (PES).

But that doesn't mean Detroit's offense, which ranks second in total yards per game (411.8) and third in points scored (30.3), has to take a big step back without him. It will just be different.

Williams may miss games against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and at the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 3, but the Lions and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have shown they have the ability to work around the available personnel. Williams has been electric this season — he ranks second in the league with 21.2 yards per reception — but Johnson, in his third year as Detroit's offensive coordinator, was already having to work without him.

The Lions averaged 27.2 points and 385.2 total yards in the five games Williams missed last season. With him in the lineup, they averaged 27.4 points and 396.9 yards. Looking at his entire tenure in Detroit, the Lions averaged 28.6 points and 403.4 yards with Williams and 25.7 points and 369.9 yards without him.

There's no question that Williams makes the offense better – even in ways that don't show up in his individual stats – but without him the numbers don't completely fall apart. Johnson is one of the most creative offensive minds in the NFL and will have to come up with a possible two-game plan to survive without his speedster.

The most obvious change Johnson could opt for is a larger role for veteran Tim Patrick, who rushed for a season-high 68 yards in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams is averaging 39.2 reps per game this season. and Patrick averages 21.6. An increase for Patrick seems logical here.

“I’ve said it before, Tim Patrick has been an excellent addition to us,” head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “This guy, we desperately needed someone like him and he fits everything we're looking for. He rounds out that receiver room.”

Another option is for Kalif Raymond to become more involved, particularly in the slot, where Williams has spent 26.1% of his offensive snaps this season. Raymond can play inside and outside, but his 5ft 7in height gives him the profile of someone who plays closer to the ball.

Raymond, who moved to Detroit before Campbell's first season, stood out in Sunday's 31-29 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He caught three of the four balls thrown to him – Raymond's catch rate remains under the radar; He led the team in that stat last season (81.4%) for 39 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

This performance was almost entirely consecutive, as he caught two consecutive passes for a total of 18 yards in the third quarter before capping the same possession with a 21-yard score, giving the Lions an 11-point lead in the final frame.

“Kalif had that drive. I think we hit him three times on that drive,” Campbell said Sunday. “He’s just Steady Eddy. He really is. … Tim is new, but Caliph, we’ve known what he is for a long time.”

Other options on the active roster include former Orchard Lake St. Mary's star Allen Robinson, who is a bigger guy like Patrick, and Isaiah Williams, who is more of a shifty player like Raymond. Detroit natives Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tom Kennedy are also on the practice squad as alternatives.

Bottom line: Campbell's next-man-up mentality doesn't just apply to injuries. Much like players will need to step up on defense in the absence of Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes, others on offense will need to look to step up with Jameson Williams out.

It won't be easy and it won't look the same, but it can be done.

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