The NFL season is nearly over as the offseason quickly approaches. With fantasy football in the books, it’s time to start gauging the top players for next year. The 2021 season will be interesting, as plenty of players will have a new opportunity to showcase their talents. One of those players being, Jamaal Williams.
Spending his career as Aaron Jones’ backup, Williams will have an opportunity to be a starter next season. This year, Williams finished with 505 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He’s also a great receiving option too, as he ended with 236 receiving yards and an additional touchdown.
Williams showcased his abilities this season like we haven’t seen before. He served as an excellent relief for Jones, and at times, seemed capable of being a starting running back for the Green Bay Packers.
Most RBs decline once they hit 27 years old. Williams will be 26 by the start of next season, but luckily for him, he’s been a reserve his entire career. He should have fresher legs than most other RBs his age. This is one reason why Williams is considered to be a breakout candidate for fantasy football next year. Look for Williams to make a huge impact in 2021, as he should be a starting RB next year.
What Is Jamaal Williams’ Future In Fantasy Football?
With the Packers’ uncertain cap situation, it’s going to be difficult to keep many of their free agents on the roster. Aaron Jones is likely gone, but there is a chance Williams finds himself back on the team next year.
With Jones out of the picture, Williams should be receiving a larger role. However, with the presence of AJ Dillon, staying in Green Bay wouldn’t be the best scenario for fantasy football. For Jamaal Williams to be a valuable asset, he’ll need to be on a new team next year.
Fantasy Football Dream Matchup: The Pittsburgh Steelers
This season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the worst rushing team in the NFL. Finishing with just 1,351 rushing yards, this franchise is in dire need of help in the run game. After recently promoting Matt Canada as the new offensive coordinator, the Steelers offense should be able to improve next year.
The reason why this is such a great fit for Williams is due to the Steelers’ current team needs. Ben Roethlisberger isn’t the same QB he used to be, and it would be wise for this front office to draft his replacement early in the draft. Additionally, this was probably James Conner’s final season with the Steelers, making it possible for Williams to sign with Pittsburgh.
It’s not likely the Steelers draft a rookie RB this year, as this team already has a young RB group in Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Samuels, and Anthony McFarland Jr. Although they’re young, neither of which were impressive, making it difficult to believe Pittsburgh relies on any of these guys in 2021.
If Jamaal Williams signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he should be able to play as a reliable RB1 for this organization. He’s much better than any of the other running backs and can be a nice target in the passing game as well. Jamaal Williams would thrive if the Steelers picked him up during the offseason, making him a valuable asset in the fantasy football world.
Potential Draft Value
According to Fantasy Pros, Jamaal Williams finished the year as the RB38 in PPR formats. Once he has a larger role, Williams should be able to catapult his way up the rankings and help you win your fantasy football league next year.
For his draft value, it really depends on what team Williams signs with. In Green Bay, I see him finishing as the RB23, which is a big jump in comparison to his current ranking. However, if he finds himself in Pittsburgh, Williams has the potential to finish within the top 15 running backs in fantasy football.
I’m praying Williams finds his way to Pittsburgh, as his value will skyrocket immediately. If it comes to fruition, you can expect Jamaal Williams to be drafted somewhere between rounds five through seven in redraft formats. I believe he’ll have a similar value as Kareem Hunt had in 2020 fantasy drafts.
