The Lions traded up 20 spots to select Alabama WR Jameson Williams with the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Detroit sent the 32nd, 34th, and 66th picks to Minnesota to make the big move. A torn left ACL suffered in January’s National Championship prevented Williams from working out in the pre-draft process. But the tape is clear: Williams has unnatural speed. He blows by defenders in his routes and destroys angles after the catch. He averaged a huge 19.9 yards per catch at Alabama last year, including 9.3 yards after the catch, and scored 4 TDs of 70+ yards. Williams led the Tide and ranked top 5 in the nation with 1,572 yards and 15 TDs. He also averaged 35.2 yards per kick return with 2 TDs, earning SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year honors. That, curiously, followed 2 mostly invisible seasons at Ohio State, where Williams totaled just 15 catches. It’s worth factoring into his NFL projection – but it’s tough to look at his 2021 production and tape and not come away excited. We’ll, of course, need to keep an eye on that left knee. Williams underwent surgery on January 13. University of Alabama team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain, who did the procedure, said in March that he expects Williams to be ready by training camp. When healthy, he’ll join D.J. Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown as Detroit’s top 3 WRs.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that former Jaguars WR D.J. Chark is signing a 1-year deal with the Lions. The contract will pay $10 million guaranteed, with a max value of $12 million (per ESPN's Adam Schefter). Chark suffered a broken ankle in Week 4 of last season, which is almost certainly why he's landing only a "prove it" deal in his 1st crack at free agency. Detroit presents obvious opportunity in an offense that was light on WR talent last season. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the only Lions wideout to exceed 71 targets or reach 50 catches. We'd bet on St. Brown beating Chark in targets this season, but Chark adds a significant challenge to St. Brown on that front and lowers the fantasy ceiling for the 2nd-year WR. Getting Jared Goff as his QB, though, also limits the ceiling for downfield threat Chark.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, WR DJ Chark is “moving well and running” on the left ankle he fractured in October. Fowler doesn’t believe the injury will impact Chark’s free agency status. Meanwhile, New Orleans and Philadelphia, among others, have been floated as potential destinations. Recall that Chark broke out just 2 years ago, posting 118-73-1,008-8 alongside Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles.
Jaguars WR D.J. Chark has been placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season with his fractured ankle. Tavon Austin somewhat unbelievably stepped in as Jacksonville's #3 WR after Chark exited Thursday night's game in Cincinnati, but we wouldn't bother adding him to fantasy rosters. WRs Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault should pick up extra volume with Chark out of the picture
Jaguars WR D.J. Chark suffered a left leg injury in the 1st quarter of Thursday night's game vs. the Bengals and had to be carted off the field. We'll update his status when we know more. WRs Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault will pick up more work with Chark out.
Update: Chark fractured his left ankle, according to multiple reports. He'll obviously miss the rest of the season. We'll see about his status heading into 2022.
Jaguars WRs D.J. Chark (finger) and Marvin Jones (shoulder) aren't even listed on the Week 1 injury report. Both guys are ready to go for Sunday's opener vs. the Texans. They'll join Laviska Shenault as Jacksonville's top 3 WRs.
Jaguars WR D.J. Chark (finger) appeared to be at 100% in Monday's practice, according to The Florida Times-Union's John Reid. HC Urban Meyer was reportedly happy with Chark's pass catching coming off that broken finger. He's set to join Laviska Shenault and Marvin Jones as Jacksonville's top 3 WRs in Sunday's opener vs. the Texans.
Jaguars HC Urban Meyer said Tuesday that WRs D.J. Chark (finger) and Marvin Jones (shoulder) will be ready for the season opener. Chark has been out since undergoing surgery in early August. Jones hurt his shoulder last week. We'll keep an eye on both guys' participation levels when Jacksonville starts releasing practice reports next week.
Jaguars WR D.J. Chark had surgery to repair a "minor" break in his hand, HC Urban Meyer announced. Meyer expects Chark to be ready for the start of the season. We'll see when he's able to get back on the field. But Chark will now miss valuable practice reps in a new offense and with a new QB. We nudged him down the WR rankings -- and nudged Marvin Jones up.
New Jaguars HC Urban Meyer didn't like WR D.J. Chark's 2020 film. "I just didn't like his size. His strength, I just thought, was way below average, way below what we expect from our receivers, and he was told that," Meyer said. "He's a big guy that played little last year, and that can't happen." Chark responded by putting on 7 pounds this offseason. "I love the challenge," Chark said. "I love talking to Coach Meyer. He's a competitor. He's going to push me." And how does Meyer feel now? "I love where he's at." We'll see exactly how Chark fits into Meyer's offense this summer, but the QB upgrade in Trevor Lawrence gives Chark a shot to have a nice bounce-back season.
The forecast for today's Bucs-Jags game calls for a slight chance of rain with winds of 17-20 mph. Gusts could come in at 25-30 mph. That's enough wind to impact the passing and kicking games. QBs Jameis Winston and Nick Foles come with increased risk in Week 13 fantasy lineups. Try to avoid Ks Matt Gay and Josh Lambo.
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