Mike Williams - Tampa Bay (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Mojo]

Someone in my league dropped Williams this week and I was wondering if he was worth picking up this week or next week (I know he's on bye this week).

I haven't watched a full Buccaneer game this season so I haven't seen if he's been dropping passes, is not targeted much or if he's just a result of their overall struggles. I could use some depth with Harvin always hurt and Manningham not being reliable. maybe my opinion is too high as I had him last year and was pleased with his results.

Any thoughts here? (Thanks for any input)

 

[jbz]

Pick him up and ask the questions later. He's getting targets, just not the results.

 

[cubbie5150]

There are a few threads already about him. Lots of fodder & opinions stated. Personally (& I owned him last year & also drafted him this year), I think it just boils down to the fact he's not someone who commands the ball. He's actually looked slow to me. Unless/until he starts getting RZ targets, he's a WR3/flex at best (I'm being generous w/ that designation, IMO).

 

[jbz]

He was slow last year too. Burning with speed isn't his game. He's suffering from Freeman's regression this year. I still think he's rosterable in all leagues.

 

[packersfan]

He was slow last year too. Burning with speed isn't his game. He's suffering from Freeman's regression this year. I still think he's rosterable in all leagues.

I think they've both regressed. Two plays stood out for me in the game against the Bears:1. Williams had a pass right in his hands at the end zone early in the game and let it slip through and it was picked off. You'd think for someone who hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 1 Williams would've fought harder to secure the ball and try to score. It was a lazy effort and after the pick, Freeman didn't target him again the rest of the first half. It seemed pretty apparent to me that Freeman lost confidence in him after that play.2. Late in the game Williams was wide open on a deep route but Freeman checked down to a shorter route to Winslow and had it picked off because he threw it into a crowd. It was a poor decision by Freeman, one of several he made in the game. For me, these two plays highlight the issues involving Williams thus far. He's not playing with the same fire he had last season and Freeman isn't attempting to make plays to him downfield, even when he's open, instead preferring to throw more intermediate routes. Freeman's decision making has also regressed compared to last season. Put it all together and Williams' fantasy stock has dropped considerably.The good news is Williams' targets have been very high so he is getting opportunities. He's caught six passes in the last two games, also a good sign. However, no TDs since Week 1 and limited yardage has turned him into nothing more than a WR3 in PPR leagues. That's obviously way below what many projected for him but at least he's serviceable in that role. The last couple of games he's shown signs of a fantasy pulse so maybe things get better going forward. But I'd caution against expecting too much. Nearly two months into the season I'm not convinced we're going to see much more from him than we've seen thus far.

 

[GManiac]

Thomas had a great rookie season but I think that's just about as good as you'll get from him, with this kind of floor. If he's having a bad time it's not pretty. He's not a dependable WR 1 IMO. Not on a level with where he was drafted. And now Benn is coming around. I thought when they were drafted that Benn still had a higher upside than Williams. 2 weeks ago he showed it with a nice game and a TD. Briscoe did it last week. You have here 3 very good young WR I think, that from week to week will have to vie for production. I'm not sure which one will emerge as the 1A, or the 1C even? Well. I like Benn to be the top guy in TB, but not by much over MW, and Briscoe. But might have to rotate them in and out of your lineup from week to week.

And on top of that, there is Winslow to throw to.

 

[reprisal]

Definitely pick him up. He is still catching about the same # of balls, his YPC is just down and the TDs havent been there. He may continue to disappoint but if they can get Freeman's head on straight during their bye Williams has the talent to step his game back to a solid WR2 levels.

 

[urbanhack]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=591869&hl=williams&st=100