2022 NFL Draft prospects: who could pick Alabama’s Jameson Williams?
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which takes place in Las Vegas in the final days of April.
The greatest production line of NFL talent in the NCAA, Alabama has in the last three years shown an ability to produce wide receivers who have a major impact on the league. In 2021 alone, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle both made the step up from Nick Saban’s team.
And as the 2022 NFL Draft approaches - the event takes place in Las Vegas from 28 to 30 April - Jameson Williams looks like being the latest offensive star to emerge from the Crimson Tide.
Williams has flourished since swapping Ohio for Alabama
Williams, 21, spent the first two seasons of his college career at Ohio State. In his time with the Buckeyes, he enjoyed few opportunities to demonstrate his abilities, registering just 15 receptions, 266 yards and three touchdowns.
In a bid to earn greater game time, the St Louis native sought a transfer to Alabama, where he has established himself as one of the most exciting WRs in the US. Under Saban, Williams’ 2021 season saw him amass 79 receptions (the fifth-highest total in the team’s history), 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns (both the third-best of all time at the university).
Having put forward these impressive credentials - and appeared in the NCAA championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs - Williams is shaping up as one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the Draft.
There are some question marks over the player, as his non-participation in the NFL scouting combine drills meant he was unable to showcase his athletic traits. His speed over 40 yards is said to be 4.39 seconds, however.
Williams’ Draft prospects: Falcons, Chiefs, Saints...?
A player compared with Will Fuller and viewed as a better version of Jerry Jeudy, Williams is projected to be selected midway through the first round.
The media outlet The Ringer offers the most optimistic forecast, predicting a top-ten selection by the Atlanta Falcons, who have lost Calvin Ridley to a season-long suspension. Meanwhile, the NFL and CBS mock drafts expect Williams to be a lower pick, with franchises such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Chargers in contention for his services.
