Despite falling short in the NFL Playoffs, the Detroit Lions are one of the best teams in the league and are the current benchmark a team like the LA Chargers should be striving toward. After all, the Bolts may be looking to recreate the Lions' running back tandem in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Chargers may be able to do better than just replication, though. Los Angeles may be able to bring in someone who has been important to the Lions' offense to play an even bigger role on the Chargers' offense moving forward.
That door is now open after Albert Breer's latest reporting. According to Breer, some in league circles believe the Lions may trade wide receiver Jameson Williams this offseason. The former first-round pick is entering his fourth year in the league. The Lions must decide by May 1 if they will pick up his fifth-year option, which may be the facilitating factor for a trade.
Jameson Williams would be a smart trade target for the Chargers
The Chargers struck out on obtaining big names such as DK Metcalf and Davante Adams but now there is a new opportunity. Williams may not be a top-tier wideout but his youth and explosiveness would be a welcomed addition to the Chargers offense.
Williams finished last season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. With 619 of his 886 offensive snaps coming out wide, Williams would be a great schematic fit alongside Ladd McConkey in the slot.
It was not that long ago that Williams was a highly touted prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft who Chargers fans were clamoring for. Williams hasn't quite lived up to the hype due to injuries and a suspension for violating the league's gambling policy but he still has tremendous upside and will only be 24 during the 2025 season.
The draft capital cost for Williams shouldn't be very high and the Chargers can afford to bring him in. Williams is still playing under his rookie deal in 2025 before taking a pay jump in 2026 on his fifth-year option.
This would give the Chargers a two-way runway to decide whether or not to sign Williams to a long-term deal. Even if Williams' tenure lasts just two seasons, it would be worth a mid-round pick for the Chargers to capitalize on their finite Super Bowl window with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert.
Keep an eye out for the Lions, especially if Detroit drafts a wide receiver early in the 2025 NFL Draft. If that happens, general manager Joe Hortiz should quickly be on the phone with the Lions to facilitate a trade for Williams.