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The Detroit Lions entered the 2022 season with D'Andre Swift installed as their starting running back and Jamaal Williams expected to serve as his backup.
Both Swift and Williams came up big in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, with the latter rushing 11 times for 28 yards and two touchdowns while adding a two-yard reception.
Is Williams' Week 1 performance something fantasy gamers can expect in the future? Should you pick him up in fantasy leagues after his Week 1 showing?
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What Did Jamaal Williams Do In Week 1?
Jamaal Williams is in his second season with the Lions after spending the first three years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The most rushing touchdowns he ever scored in a season is three, which he did in 2018 and 2021. He did also catch five touchdowns while with the Packers back in 2019.
All this means that after Week 1, Williams is already more than halfway to setting a new career high in rushing touchdowns.
Williams was Detroit's preferred running back in the red zone in the season opener. He saw plenty of work near the goal line in Week 1 against the Eagles, handling six carries and catching one ball in the red zone.
Week 1 rushing attempts inside the opposing 10-yard line (per @SportsInfo_SiS):
JAMAAL WILLIAMS 5
Saquon Barkley 4
Jalen Hurts 3
Miles Sanders 3
Najee Harris 3
Jeff Wilson 3Miles Sanders already has more rushing TDs this season (1) than he had all of last season in 12 games.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 13, 2022
Were There Any Worrying Signs With Jamaal Williams In Week 1?
While Williams turned in an excellent fantasy performance, there are a few concerns moving forward.
Despite running behind one of the better offensive lines in football, Williams averaged just 2.5 yards per carry against Philly. D'Andre Swift, on the other hand, averaged 9.6. Williams is not an explosive player, he is more of a between-the-tackles grinder who has topped 4.0 yards per carry just twice over his five-year NFL career.
That being said, Williams' low yards per carry can be partially explained by the sheer number of carries he received in short-yardage situations near the goal line.
Furthermore, Williams has not seen much work in the passing game since joining the Lions as he averaged just 2.15 targets per game with Detroit in 2021, a career low in that department.
Should I Pickup Jamaal Williams Off The Waiver Wire In Fantasy Football?
Based on his resume, Williams is not likely to repeat his multi-score game from Week 1. That being said, if he continues to see heavy usage near the goal line, it is possible that he has another game with more than one touchdown. Any running back who sees that many touches in the red zone has value in fantasy.
Swift is extremely talented, but he has had some trouble staying on the field in his career, having missed seven of a possible 34 games.
If something were to happen to Swift, fantasy managers should expect Williams to step into the lead role for a Detroit running game that will be very valuable in fantasy this season. Even if Swift avoids injury, it is clear that Detroit wants to keep him fresh by using Williams, especially in short-yardage situations. Williams is worth adding this week as a top-three waiver option and someone who is worth around a 20% FAAB bid for running back-needy fantasy squads.
Jamaal Williams is rostered in just 48% of Yahoo & 35% of ESPN leagues.
Had all 3 of the carries inside the 5 including 7 RZ touches on Sunday. Would be a must-start if Swift missed time… These aren’t your Lions of old anymore.pic.twitter.com/TKJldooXxB
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) September 13, 2022
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