At the end of the NFL season, coaches conduct exit interviews with players and identify areas for improvement in the offseason. When Jameson Williams met with Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, they discussed a variety of topics, but the one main point Randle El wanted to convey to Williams was the importance of building strength in his frame.
“One of the biggest things was just his strength,” Randle El said. “In terms of route running and not getting pushed off the spot. You see that show up more and more, which is going to benefit us as an offense and you can see him taking it to another level.”
The speed is undeniable with Williams. He’s probably one of the five fastest players in the league. This spring we’ve also seen his ability to make plays within the entire route tree and all over the field, not just deep down the field utilizing that long speed. Williams made a couple tough catches in the middle of the field in traffic and contested on the sideline, which speaks to his gained strength.
“It helps him just getting in and out of routes,” Randle El said. “The strength that it’s built in his legs. You can see a difference.”
Added strength will certainly come in handy and will be tested in training camp going against two physical cornerbacks in Carlton Davis III and Terrion Arnold. Randle El said he loves the cornerbacks the team has added to the roster because their physicality at the line of scrimmage is going to help his receivers get better in camp. The Lions are expecting Williams to play a big role in the offense this season and head coach Dan Campbell certainly took notice of Williams’ improvement this spring. “He is a man on a mission,” Campbell said. “I’m just going to leave it at that.”
