Chad

Williams

Indianapolis decidedly stayed in-house to address their receiver depth following Chester Rogers’ (knee) trip to injured reserve. Previously Arizona’s No. 98 overall pick in 2017, Williams totaled 3/31 in six appearances under Bruce Arians’ tutelage and 17/171/1 in Steve Wilks’ nightmarish tenure. He isn’t expected to crack the field over Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson, and/or Ashton Dulin unless T.Y. Hilton (calf) misses the rest of the year.

The No. 98 overall pick of the 2017 draft, Williams could never break through in Arizona. He couldn’t get on the field for Bruce Arians in 2017 and made no impact in last year’s moribund offense. Going on 25, Williams entered the league as an exceptional athlete with strong college numbers, but there has been zero indication he’s about to turn the corner. Someone’s practice squad might be the best he can do for 2019.

It’s Williams’ first reps of training camp after being out with an undisclosed injury. The former third-rounder was already facing tough odds before the Cardinals signed Michael Crabtree on Monday. Williams need to ramp it up this preseason.

Williams is losing valuable reps, and coach Kliff Kingsbury admitted it’s been hard to evaluate Williams because he hasn’t been on the field. A third-round pick in 2017, Williams looks to be one the outside looking in at a roster spot right now after the Cardinals drafted three wideouts behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. We’d bet Williams isn’t on the Cardinals come Week 1.

Williams became expendable after Arizona drafted a trio of receivers. In a new regime, he’s unlikely to make it past final cuts. Williams has good size and is still only 24, so it’s possible he could fetch a late-round pick. Williams may be auditioning for other teams this preseason.

Williams missed six games last year, but he started seven when healthy. With the Cardinals adding rookies KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, and special teamer Damiere Byrd, he’ll have to fight to keep his roster spot. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Cardinals shop Williams this preseason.

Williams set season highs in targets, receptions, and yards in the regular season finale, but that shows how uninvolved Williams was in his second NFL season. The 2017 third-round pick only caught 17-of-46 targets for 171 yards and one touchdown in 2018, and it’s fair to be pessimistic about his NFL future with a career 3.81 YPT average. In 2019, Williams will compete for scraps behind David Johnson, Christian Kirk, and whoever the Cardinals bring in at receiver with their draft capital and sixth most cap space.

Williams didn’t make much noise in his return from a six-game absence, though he did play the third-most snaps (29) among Cardinals receivers. He’ll enter Week 17 against the Seahawks having caught just 15 of his 42 career targets (35.7 percent).

He’ll return for the first time in the last six weeks. Williams playing should kick Trent Sherfield to three-wide sets.

Williams has sat out the last six games with a pulled hamstring. Even if he suits up against the Rams this week, he’ll be too risky to use in fantasy.