He is a raw but talented player. Very explosive and successful in college. Definitely a deep threat. He is still learning what he's doing. He does have good hands, but doesn't always read the defense like Romo wants. That was the cause of Romo's first pick this year. He showed a lack of situational awareness at the end of the half against Denver when he didn't get out of bounds and caused the clock to run way down. Very much a rookie mistake. He is still developing his route tree, which was limited in college.
Dallas opened up the offense against the Broncos because they knew they had to. And Williams capitalized on all 4 of his targets. Yes, he had only 4 targets. Think about that.
He is a very strong play in dynasty. This year, his upside is 3-5 targets a game, assuming Dez is healthy. I'm not sure this is the best available WR in redraft. Don't forget, Austin will be back before too long. And Austin is a better receiver this year and will resume the #2 spot. Next year, I think Williams becomes the starter opposite Dez. But not this year.
Assuming Austin doesn't suit up, his upside is likely closer to 10 targets a game, seeing as how he had 8 (7/77/0) vs. SD.
3-5 seems a bit light to me, too (agreed, especially in absence of austin... if he returns, that may well be right)...
the only potential issue with extrapolating from his eight targets (and actually raising from there), that was one of the most prodigious shootouts in league history?
they may want to run more and have more balanced offense some weeks... demarco has been promising for the most part when called on to run more...
on the other hand, if williams continues to grow, he could earn romo's trust to increase his targets...
that is encouraging that he caught seven of his eight targets...
and while romo will throw to dez in double coverage, williams could be open a lot, expected to typically face strictly single coverage against lesser CBs...
i mentioned in cowboys thread that one of the things that has impressed me most is, while some labeled him as limited and one dimensional coming into the league, he not only made the big play over the top for an approx. 70 yard TD, but he is making plays on intermediate passes as well, showing better versatility than advertised... imo, this bodes very well for his future...
ridgelake mentioned route running error that led to INT earlier in the season, but the fact that things went more smoothly in just week five, could be an indicator that he is either a hard worker or a natural, but at any rate, light could be going on...
not sure if baylor prepares WRs well for NFL, or they just recruit great athletes... but kendall wright and josh gordon have also enjoyed early relative success (actually, i think gordon just played for a year, so not sure if that is a a good "profile fit")...
will williams be rosterable/startable in redraft?
possibly as long as austin is out, or if williams play forces him onto the field more, which we will have to wait and see how that plays out when austin returns (will he be full strength when he does, will he reaggravate it?)...
i started him in one league (in a jam with calvin not playing) with the rationale that it could be a shootout and he might get a big play, with austin out...
in dynasty, if romo continues to put up big passing numbers, i think he has higher than top 20 upside (and that is of course factoring in dez bryant's presence, which, as noted, i think could help him in some ways)...