Entering his eighth season in the NFL, it still feels like we’ve never truly seen the best version of veteran WR Mike Williams. Despite flashing moments of fantasy dominance during his days with Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert under center, Williams’ collection of injuries and lack of an elite target share volume alongside Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler have robbed him of his prime productive years in the NFL.
Set to join Aaron Rodgers in the New York Jets offense, what does Williams’ dynasty value look like heading into the 2024 NFL season?
Mike Williams’ Dynasty Outlook
It pains me to say this, but Williams has posted just one top-30 finish at the WR position in PPR formats through his first seven years in the NFL. Does this suggest he is a bad football player? No. However, his fantasy production feels like it never reached its true potential as a member of the Chargers.
Sure, some context is required when pointing out his production from a bird’ s-eye view, but the numbers are the numbers. Williams simply hasn’t developed into an elite producer at the position.
The flashes of brilliance were certainly there when he was on the field last season, as he topped 16+ fantasy points in two of his three games played in 2023. He has proven on numerous occasions he has all of the tools to be a very effective vertical threat and red zone producer during his time in the NFL.
Unfortunately, durability has been a recurring theme throughout most of Williams’ professional career. He has played a full season only once through his first seven years and isn’t exactly a lock to be ready to play in the 2024 season opener while rehabbing a torn ACL.
Another factor working against the former Clemson product is that Williams will turn 30 this season. These realizations and his hefty salary cap hit are likely what prompted the Chargers to part ways with him this offseason.
There is still some outside room for optimism for the veteran receiver after joining forces with Rodgers in the Big Apple. Rodgers is renowned for his exceptional ball placement, which could elevate Williams’s TD floor considerably if the future Hall of Fame QB continues to use a dot-sized paintbrush when throwing darts to Williams in the red zone. However, that would be assuming Williams comes back healthy, and Rodgers can still play at a high level north of 40 years old.
MORE: Dynasty Trade Advice — Michael Pittman Jr., Tank Dell, Curtis Samuel
Yet, even in a best-case scenario, Williams will be a distant second option behind Garrett Wilson in the passing game and could lose quite a few looks to rookie WR Malachi Corley and RB Breece Hall, who led all running backs with 95 targets in 2023.
The bottom line for me is going to feel a bit harsh, but Williams has seen 100+ targets once in his career, topped 1,000 yards receiving just twice, and never topped 80 receptions. His new landing spot, paired with an uncertain timetable to return for the start of the upcoming season, makes it difficult to project a career year in 2024.
Williams’ Dynasty Ranking
Where does Williams rank in the dynasty RB landscape going into the 2024 offseason? Here are Tate’s latest dynasty rankings, featuring Williams’ ranking in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Justin Jefferson | MIN
2) CeeDee Lamb | DAL
3) Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
4) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
5) Marvin Harrison Jr. | ARI
6) A.J. Brown | PHI
7) Garrett Wilson | NYJ
8) Tyreek Hill | MIA
9) Puka Nacua | LAR
10) Malik Nabers | NYG
11) Drake London | ATL
12) Rome Odunze | CHI
13) Chris Olave | NO
14) Jaylen Waddle | MIA
15) DeVonta Smith | PHI
16) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND
17) DJ Moore | CHI
18) Zay Flowers | BAL
19) Ladd McConkey | LAC
20) Brian Thomas Jr. | JAX
21) Xavier Worthy | KC
22) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA
23) Tank Dell | HOU
24) Rashee Rice | KC
25) Tee Higgins | CIN
26) Nico Collins | HOU
27) George Pickens | PIT
28) DK Metcalf | SEA
29) Brandon Aiyuk | SF
30) Deebo Samuel Sr. | SF
31) Ricky Pearsall | SF
32) Keon Coleman | BUF
33) Terry McLaurin | WAS
34) Malachi Corley | NYJ
35) Ja’Lynn Polk | NE
36) Adonai Mitchell | IND
37) Xavier Legette | CAR
38) Jordan Addison | MIN
39) Jayden Reed | GB
40) Amari Cooper | CLE
41) Davante Adams | LV
42) Keenan Allen | CHI
43) Stefon Diggs | HOU
44) Mike Evans | TB
45) Cooper Kupp | LAR
46) Khalil Shakir | BUF
47) Diontae Johnson | CAR
48) Josh Downs | IND
49) Christian Kirk | JAX
50) Troy Franklin | DEN
51) Malik Washington | MIA
52) Calvin Ridley | TEN
53) Chris Godwin | TB
54) Javon Baker | NE
55) DeMario Douglas | NE
56) Roman Wilson | PIT
57) Luke McCaffrey | WAS
58) Courtland Sutton | DEN
59) Devontez Walker | BAL
60) Romeo Doubs | GB
61) Jakobi Meyers | LV
62) Treylon Burks | TEN
63) Jahan Dotson | WAS
64) Wan’Dale Robinson | NYG
65) Marquise Brown | KC
66) DeAndre Hopkins | TEN
67) Jerry Jeudy | CLE
68) Tyler Lockett | SEA
69) Mike Williams | NYJ
70) Jermaine Burton | CIN
71) Jalen McMillan | TB
72) Michael Wilson | ARI
73) Jameson Williams | DET
74) Christian Watson | GB
75) Rashod Bateman | BAL
Should You Trade Williams in Dynasty?
Are you considering trading Williams? Our free PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trade offer to make in seconds!
Age, injury, and an unknown near-term future are all working against Williams’ current dynasty value on the trade market.
Sure, he looked great in his brief bit of action on the field in 2023, and his landing spot does bring some fantasy optimism, but the potential pitfalls in his dynasty profile are painfully evident and shouldn’t be overlooked.
MORE: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
Consequently, it’ll be even more difficult to get the type of value we want in order to part ways with Williams in a trade because the dynasty shareholder will likely still want to sell him at his perceived upside while the acquiring manager is unlikely to pay much of anything due to all of the risk his profile carries.
Ultimately, his value in correlation to upcoming rookie drafts feels like a late-second-round rookie pick is the absolute best-case scenario, with his value likely falling somewhere in the fourth round given his age and injury situation.
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