The 2022 NFL Draft class is loaded with playmakers that are going to help reshape a team’s offense. One of the top wide receivers in this year’s draft class is Alabama’s, Jameson Williams.
Williams looked like the No. 1 wide receiver in this year’s class for the majority of the season. He had a monster year, catching 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns after transferring in from Ohio State.
It was a good decision to transfer, as Ohio State has two projected first-rounders in this year’s draft class in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Another one isn’t far behind in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But, it was Williams who was projected to be the first wide receiver off the board this year before an unfortunate injury suffered in the National Title Game against Georgia.
That knee injury could delay the start of his NFL career and will likely cost him millions of dollars based on his draft position. But, a team later on in the first round is certainly going to get a steal in the Crimson Tide pass catcher.
Where could Williams land? Here are the five best potential destinations for him in the 2022 NFL Draft.
5. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints could certainly use an upgrade at the skill positions. Their spending was limited in free agency because of their salary cap situation, but the NFL Draft will present them with an opportunity to add some much-needed talent.
Jameson Williams would make for an excellent complement opposite of Michael Thomas should he remain with the team. He would provide the Saints with another weapon so opponents cannot divert all of their attention onto Thomas.
However, the Saints are in desperate need of a quarterback. It could be tough for them to pass up on a quarterback prospect should one they like be on the board when they come up on the clock.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
The owners of three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have a great chance to bolster their roster. Since they have so many picks, they are a team that could take a chance on Williams.
Even if he is sidelined to begin the season, they should have enough talent to compensate for it in the early going. They can plug two of their other holes with the other selections while waiting for Williams to get healthy.
Pairing Williams with DeVonta Smith could be a dynamic long-term duo for the Eagles’ offense to build around. Getting more talent for Jalen Hurts to throw the ball to is imperative and he would have two excellent players to grow and develop with.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off a shocking blockbuster trade, sending Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins gave Hill a contract that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history and shipped five draft picks to Kansas City.
One of those picks was the first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft that the Dolphins had. Using that No. 29 pick, or their own No. 30 overall selection, on Williams would make a lot of sense for the Chiefs.
The team signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, but they will need more weapons to help replace Hill. Jameson Williams is the No. 1 deep threat in this class and would provide some athleticism and big-play ability to an offense that just lost an explosive player in Hill.
2. Green Bay Packers
Another team with multiple picks in the first of the 2022 NFL Draft right now is the Green Bay Packers. They acquired the No. 22 overall pick from the Las Vegas Raiders in the Davante Adams trade to go along with the No. 28 pick they owned.
Using one of those selections on a wide receiver seems like a forgone conclusion for Green Bay, who could also lose Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. Allen Lazard is also a free agent, meaning the Packers could be without their top three pass catchers from last season.
Selecting Williams may not provide an immediate impact, but it could be very beneficial down the road. Right now the top of the depth chart in Green Bay is Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers, so the team definitely needs some help.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have a lot of holes to fill on the roster. They weren’t aggressive in free agency this year as they were last year and suffered a major loss with J.C. Jackson heading to the Los Angeles Chargers.
But, the focus of this draft should be upgrading the weapons around Mac Jones so that he can take that next step in his development. Adding a player of Williams’ caliber would be perfect for the Patriots.
While Jameson Williams may not help right away, he was the consensus top wide receiver in this year’s class before his injury. Landing him at No. 21 in the NFL Draft would be a huge win for the Patriots. He has star potential as a No. 1 and could be Jones’ go-to guy for years to come.
