May 21, 2019

Being drafted number seven overall in 2017 may have been the worst thing to happen to Mike Williams. After suffering through an injury-plagued rookie season Williams was already being unfairly discussed as a potential bust. In 2018 Williams came back to show everyone we should calm down and let players develop before labeling them. Jared Goff would also like you to consider doing this. With Hunter Henry missing the season after a torn ACL, Williams became the go-to receiver in the red zone and at 6’4 and 220 pounds he is a big target in this area of the field. Playing in all 16 games and only having 43 receptions for 664 yards may not seem like a season to plant your flag on. But he turned those 43 receptions into 10 receiving touchdowns and he was also playing a hybrid role. A role somewhere between the role he will be playing this season and the tight end role vacated by the injury of Henry and the age of Antonio Gates. As he finally gets into his preferred role across from Keenan Allen, and with Tyrell Williams now in Oakland, the numbers will only increase in year three. With Allen still being the top WR in the offense, defenses will need to use their second cornerback on Williams. At his size, he could eat them alive and come down with contested catches downfield for Philip Rivers. A young Vincent Jackson in his time with Rivers would be a good comparison. An increase from 43 receptions is more than possible. However, to obtain his services at the back end of the fifth round of drafts as the WR24 is good but not great value. Hunter Henry coming back will likely hurt his touchdown production, which may drop below 10. However, the potential increase in receptions and yardage, should more than makeup for the TD drop. If you take him in the fifth round, he should make a great WR3 for your team. Or if you decide to go with one of the tight ends or Patrick Mahomes early, he could even be a solid WR2.--Dominick Petrillo - RotoBaller