Jamaal Williams wasn't used much by the Lions on passing downs last year (just 16 targets in 17 games), but that's a reversal of his early-career usage with the Packers. He has ample experience in pass protection and might be more of an all-around RB than you'd be led to believe. pic.twitter.com/JC4pkdkDT2
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) March 22, 2023
It’s easy to look at Jamaal Williams’ 2022 rushing production — 1,066 yards on the ground and a league-leading 17 touchdown runs — and assume he’s a one-dimensional running back. And his receiving numbers would support that; he was targeted with fewer passes (16) than games he played (17). You’d even be forgiven for looking at his listed size of 6-foot-flat and 224 pounds and assume he’s just a big bruiser. But look a little deeper and you’ll see that the New Orleans Saints may have landed a more-complete, all-around player than initially expected.
Williams may have been limited to more of a run-first role with the Detroit Lions the last two years, but his career didn’t start out that way. He was the go-to passing-down back for the Green Bay Packers his first four years in the league. Williams was on the field for passing plays on 61.5%, 73.9%, 68.3%, and 65.3% of his offensive snaps with Green Bay; an average of 67.3% per season.
When he got to Detroit two years ago, the ratio flipped. Williams was utilized on running plays for 53% and 59.9% of his snaps during the last two seasons. He’s played a different role in their offense. It’s been better for his career, sure (Williams averaged just 33.1 rushing yards per game with the Packers compared to 55.6 yards on the ground per game for the Lions), but he can do more than just tote the ball. Williams has done a great job keeping his quarterbacks clean over the years, with just 5 sacks allowed on 353 snaps in pass protection since 2017. For context, Alvin Kamara has been charged with allowing 4 sacks on just 192 snaps in that same time-frame.
But he can catch, too. Williams was thrown to 163 times in 64 games (2.5 targets per game) with the Packers, catching 79.1% of his passes and converting 11 or more first downs while scoring 8 career touchdown receptions. His role diminished with the Lions but Williams still caught 86.4% of the balls thrown his way the last two years, converting 10 first downs.
Kamara and Williams figure to be the featured players in the backfield when they’re both available, but Kamara could miss six or more games with a suspension following his ongoing Las Vegas assault case. If he misses time, Williams is well-qualified to step up, but it wouldn’t hurt the Saints to keep stacking talent at running back. Just because Williams can be a three-down player doesn’t mean he should have to do it all alone. With just Eno Benjamin and Derrick Gore on the roster behind Williams and Kamara, it makes sense that the Saints are spending a lot of time scouting 2023 draft prospects like Tulane star running back Tyjae Spears. But it’s good to know Williams will be up for whatever’s asked of him.
