Derrick

Williams

A third-round pick of the Lions in 2009, Williams notched just nine catches in 18 games before being cut in September following a brutal preseason. If he makes the team in 2012, it will be as a special teamer. The brother of Steelers CB Bryant McFadden and a former fifth-round pick, Walter has made five tackles in four career games.

A third-round pick of the Lions in 2009, Williams lasted just two years in the NFL. There was never much more than straight-line speed here, which proved to be a problem for a 5'11/197 inside receiver.

Williams was a third-round bust as a rookie, fumbling away return duties and contributing just six catches on offense. With the Lions improving their depth at receiver, he may have to outplay Dennis Northcutt to stick around for another shot at both punt and kickoff returns this year.

“I don’t want a punt returner that is going to fair-catch everything,” said coach Jim Schwartz. “We’re looking for someone explosive who can make plays for us.” Williams will also compete for time in the slot with Ronald Curry.

Williams’ stock fell when he ran a 4.67 at the Scouting Combine while battling the flu, but he rebounded with a 4.37 at Pro Day. We know he can run, but he’s not really an outside-the-numbers receiving threat. He’ll help on returns, and compete with Ronald Curry for slot duties in training camp.

The fact that Williams missed minicamp (hamstring) has hurt his chances of getting on the field as a receiver. Don’t expect the speedster out of Penn State to have a fantasy impact this season in standard scoring leagues.

While the trade shows the Jags’ high regard for their three late-round receivers, it also may signal a lack of faith in Lions third-round pick Derrick Williams, who recently came down with a hamstring injury. Northcutt is a candidate to return punts for the Lions and will likely battle Williams and Ronald Curry for slot receiver duties. Jags GM Gene Smith did well to get a young safety for Northcutt, who is grossly overpaid and turning 32. It’s a shock that anybody wanted him for more than the minimum salary, but these are the Lions.

Johnson has never lived up to his first-round pick status, failing to crack 800 receiving yards in any of his six seasons. It’s clear the Lions need to upgrade the spot opposite Calvin Johnson, but it doesn’t look like Northcutt, Ronald Curry, or Derrick Williams will take that job away from Bryant Johnson.

“It puts a lot of heat on him,” Schwartz said. “It’s hard for young players to not practice and also prepare.” The injury doesn’t seem serious, but Williams is locked in competition for receiver snaps and could’ve used this time.

Williams is expected to contribute immediately in the return game, but would have to unseat Dennis Northcutt for the punt return job. The former Penn State slot receiver missed minicamps due to a bad hamstring, but has little chance to contribute on offense this year anyway.