The Detroit Lions have one more preseason game left on Saturday, Aug. 24 against the Pittsburgh Steelers before they turn their attention to the start of a 2024 campaign in which the team has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
After the events of preseason Week 2, ESPN placed the Lions at No. 4 in their NFL power rankings behind the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 1), Baltimore Ravens (No. 2) and San Francisco 49ers (No. 3).
The outlet listed one player on the hot seat for each team, and the choice for Detroit was wide receiver Jameson Williams.
"This upcoming season could likely be a make-or-break year for Williams," ESPN's Eric Woodyard wrote. "As the No. 12 pick of the 2022 NFL draft, Williams has had an abnormal start to his career. After having a shortened rookie campaign as he overcame an ACL injury suffered in college and a suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy in Year 2, this season gives Williams a chance to show who he is in his first uninterrupted year with the team. Williams could be a huge part of the offense, but he has to step up."
As we've said all offseason, the Lions should enter the season as the No. 3 team in the power rankings behind the Chiefs and 49ers after coming so close to beating the latter in the NFC Championship Game last season while the Ravens barely showed up against the Chiefs in the AFC title game.
Woodyard hits the nail on the head by picking Williams, who is facing a crucial season for his career. The former No. 12 overall pick has been a disappointment over his first two seasons in the NFL, but he has also had a lot to overcome with things both in and out of his control.
Williams spent the majority of his rookie season working his way back from a torn ACL, and then he got suspended for gambling in 2023, forcing him to miss the first four games.
But Williams has had a full offseason in 2024 and will be on the field for Week 1, barring injury. The Lions desperately need him to step up after the departure of Josh Reynolds left the team with one less reliable option in the passing game.
If Williams fails to answer the bell, not only are the Lions likely to decline his fifth-year option in 2025, they'll also have to look for another answer at the position behind Amon-Ra St. Brown.