Jets Sign Former All-Big Ten Receiver After Cowboys Loss

Originally from St. Louis, Williams initially enrolled at Illinois as a quarterback in 2019. However, he officially moved to wide receiver in the spring of 2021 and immediately thrived, hauling in 47 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns. Williams added 61 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema realized that he had a potential star on his hands, and Williams broke out for 82 catches, 715 yards, and five touchdowns in 2022. Although Illinois dropped to 5-7 in 2023, Williams recorded a conference-leading 82 catches, 1,055 yards, and five touchdowns.

Williams earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, and NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein projected that the 5-foot-9, 182-pound receiver had the potential to become an “above-average backup” in the pros.

“His limited catch radius requires a more accurate quarterback, but he plays with talent and determination once the ball is in his hands,” Zierlein wrote ahead of the 2024 draft. “He can be asked to work across all areas of the field and has both gadget and punt return ability. Williams is competitive and versatile, but must prove he can play fast to become a WR4 as a Day 3 pick.”

Williams caught two passes for six yards in two games for the Detroit Lions last year, and he also suited up for the Cincinnati Bengals. He only played one offensive snap with the Jets and totaled 99 yards on five returns.

What’s Next for the Jets?

We’ll see whether Williams resumes his role as the Jets’ primary returner or if he’ll stay on the practice squad in the short term. However, it’s difficult to imagine the Jets wasting a practice squad spot on a player who has already played meaningful snaps for them.

Regardless, the Jets are the league’s final winless team, a fact they look to change against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. However, the FanDuel Sportsbook listed the Broncos as -7 point favorites (-118, meaning that a $100 bet would net a $184.75 payout) as of Tuesday morning.

The Jets have not started 0-6 since 2020, when they lost their first 13 games en route to a 2-14 finish.