Isaiah

Williams

Williams has seemingly overtaken John Metchie as the Jets’ No. 2 receiver. He has 14 catches over the past three weeks to Metchie’s eight. Williams’ late-season surge has been impressive, but it’s more impactful for his future earnings than it is for fantasy managers. He is buried in the WR5/6 range heading into the final week of the year.

The news was first reported by Pro Football Talk. Lazard will reportedly look to sign with a contender. We wish him luck in that endeavor. Lazard has 10 catches on 18 targets over ten games this season in a Jets offense that has been desperate for wideout production. He has been targeted on 13 percent of his pass routes through Week 15. Lazard could always land with longtime friend and former teammate Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh if the Steelers are looking to add more receiver depth ahead of the postseason. Jets beat writer Connor Hughes said Lazard had “questionable practice habits, and rubbed some teammates the wrong way with way he acted once Aaron Rodgers arrived” in 2023. Lazard’s departure from New York could open up more playing time for electric WR Isaiah Williams, who had six receptions for 53 yards last week against the Jaguars.

It was a career day for Williams, who ranked second among Jets receivers in routes (30) and third in snaps with 41. Williams has played primarily on special teams this season and currently leads the league in punt return yards (396) and has two punt return touchdowns. He seemed to show good chemistry with Brady Cook, who he has presumably spent a lot of time with in practice, but his strong performance in Week 15 could warrant a stronger look over the final three weeks of the season. Williams has played 30-plus snaps and run 20-plus routes in back-to-back weeks. He’s worth a stash in deeper leagues ahead of next week’s game against the Saints.

Williams was responsible for two of the Jets’ biggest plays of the game. He first took a punt 78 yards to the house in the first quarter for the Jets’ only touchdown of the game. He also drew a defensive pass interference on a Brady Cook deep pass to get the Jets into the red zone. Williams is not fantasy relevant, but occasionally has some big special teams plays.

He’ll be the third quarterback in Cincinnati this year behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Also joining the Cincinnati practice squad are: RB Gary Brightwell, S Russ Yeast, OT Devin Cochran, OT Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, G Jaxson Kirkland, CB Bralyn Lux, C Seth McLaughlin, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, DE Isaiah Thomas and WR Isaiah Williams.

Williams joined the Lions as a UDFA this year and cracked the team’s 53-man roster at the end of camp. He did not play until Week 8 when he caught two passes for six yards. Williams was cut after Week 9. He gives the Bengals an extra depth option with Tee Higgins banged up and Jermaine Burton’s rookie season spiraling.

The Lions enter Week 6 looking extremely healthy after their bye week. With all of their key players set to go, Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys should make for a strong fantasy day for both sides.

Williams (5’9/182) was recruited by Illinois as a quarterback, and spent two years playing the position before making the leap to receiver for the 2021 season. He was an immediate contributor that season, totaling 47 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns, and went on to total 164-1770-10 in his final two seasons. A shifty player whose elusiveness was evident on tape, Williams tested well in the shuttle and three-cone drills at the combine, but ran a 4.63 40-time – a painfully low mark for a player of his size. Williams is still an intriguing player as far as what he can provide out of the slot is concerned, but his lack of speed may not play well at the pro level.

Williams (5'10/180) signed with Illinois as a four-star dual-threat quarterback, but following this year’s spring game, he was approached by Bielema regarding a potential visit switch. It took, according to Bielema, 10 minutes for it to become clear that Williams’ future would be in the receivers’ room. The Athletic’s Matt Fortuna refers to Williams as a potential “X-factor” for the Illini. Considering the lack of proven talent at the position, this is a nice gamble for Bielema and staff. Brandon Peters is already locked in as starting quarterback and it’s nice to see Williams given an opportunity, here, when so many other backup options have hit the transfer portal looking for greener pastures.

Williams (5'10/180) joined the Illini as a highly-regarded four-star athlete in the 2019 recruiting class. He saw the field in four games as a true freshman -- allowing him to take a redshirt -- before going on to start four games this past fall. Shifting to wide receiver, now, means that former Michigan QB Brandon Peters should be presumed as likely starter for the upcoming campaign. If Williams can transition without real issue, he has the talent to carve out playing time in the receivers room.