What a difference a week makes! Heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bye in Week 9, uncertainty surrounded the wide receiver position as a whole. However, GM Omar Khan alleviated these concerns at the November 5 deadline by acquiring WR Mike Williams from the New York Jets.
Fans are now left with a new pair of questions: Will Williams contribute immediately, and if so, what will his impact look like?
If you asked QB Russell Wilson, he might say Williams’ presence will be felt all over the field, as his athletic prowess allows him to do virtually anything. However, OC Arthur Smith is particularly excited about Williams’ potential impact in the run game.
Looking at other similar situations for reference, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Amari Cooper, and former All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins all played limited snap counts in their debuts with new teams—averaging around just 30% of snaps played.
Could Williams follow a similar precedent and be used sparingly while he acclimates to the new offense? Or will his physical traits allow the team to utilize him more extensively in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders?
