At the end of the NFL season, coaches sit down with players for their exit interview and give them areas they'd like that player to work on in the offseason.
When Jameson Williams met with Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, the two talked about a number of things, but the one big message Randle El really wanted to drive home with Williams was adding strength to his frame.
"One of the biggest things was just his strength," Randle El said. "In terms of route running and not getting pushed off the spot. You see that show up more and more, which is going to benefit us as an offense and you can see him taking it to another level."
The speed is undeniable with Williams. He's probably one of the five fastest players in the league. This spring we've also seen his ability to make plays within the entire route tree and all over the field, not just deep down the field utilizing that long speed. Williams made a couple tough catches in the middle of the field in traffic and contested on the sideline, which speaks to his gained strength.
"It helps him just getting in and out of routes," Randle El said. "The strength that it's built in his legs. You can see a difference."
Added strength will certainly come in handy and will be tested in training camp going against two physical cornerbacks in Carlton Davis III and Terrion Arnold. Randle El said he loves the cornerbacks the team has added to the roster because their physicality at the line of scrimmage is going to help his receivers get better in camp.
The Lions are expecting Williams to play a big role in the offense this season and head coach Dan Campbell certainly took notice of Williams' improvement this spring.
"He is a man on a mission," Campbell said. "I'm just going to leave it at that."
View photos from Day 7 of Detroit Lions OTA practice on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50), Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80), Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Nate Lynn (57) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83), Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on June 11, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Williams missed five games last season due to suspension and injury, and finished with 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. The former first-round pick also rushed three times for 29 yards and a touchdown.
His best performance of the season came in the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers when he made some big plays and scored twice. The Lions are hoping a bigger role and that added strength to his frame will allow Williams to hit the ground running and become a big part of Detroit's offensive attack.
"It's been great just what he was at the end of the year as to where he is now and how he's gotten there," Randle El said. "He's really worked at it."
