2022 NFL Draft: Contract details released for Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions were part of the wide receiver fever on Thursday night of the 2022 NFL Draft. They traded up to draft former Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State wide receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12 overall in the first round.
Williams’ first contract with the Lions will keep him in Detroit for four years with a fifth-year option. The four-year deal is worth $17.4 million, which includes a $9.8 million signing bonus. The contract is fully guaranteed.
The Detroit Lions weren’t deterred from drafting the Alabama wideout despite his ACL tear. The franchise traded all the way up from No. 32 to get him. The Lions gave up the 32nd, 34th and 66th picks to Minnesota. They also received the 46th overall pick as part of the deal.
Jameson Williams played one season for the Crimson Tide and it changed the trajectory of his entire career. While in Columbus, he brought in just 15 receptions over two seasons with the Buckeyes. After transferring from Ohio State after two seasons, the 2019 top-100 prospect had a breakout season with the Crimson Tide in 2021.
He started all 15 games for Alabama this season, including the national title game against Georgia when he suffered that season-ending knee injury in the second quarter. In his 832 snaps, Williams brought in 79 receptions for a team-leading 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Jameson Williams updates timetable on recovery
The big question surrounding Jameson Williams in this year’s NFL Draft is when his torn ACL will be back to full strength.
He told reporters he’s planning to be ready in time for training camp, which starts in July. That would set the recovery at about six months after he suffered the injury in the national championship against Georgia in January.
“I should be ready to go by training camp,” Williams said, via ESPN’s Field Yates. “I’m shooting for training camp.”
A former four-star prospect per the On3 Consensus, he was the No. 87 overall player in his class and a top-20 prospect at his position coming out of Saint Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter College Prep.