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5 landing spots for Mike Williams in 2022 NFL free agency

By Mike Phillips

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 14: Corey Davis #84 of the New York Jets makes a catch in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on November 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 14: Corey Davis #84 of the New York Jets makes a catch in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on November 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Mike Williams is coming off his best season as a pro and these five teams could be great fits for the talented but inconsistent wide receiver.

Finding productive wide receivers isn’t easy in the NFL since many players can deliver wild variances from year-to-year based on factors like scheme fit and health. That description fits Mike Williams to a T as the Chargers’ first-round pick from 2017 put up excellent numbers in 2021, catching 76 passes for 1,149 yards and nine touchdowns, but there were plenty of games where he was invisible over the course of the season.

That inconsistency creates a difficult question for the Chargers to answer since they could opt to use the franchise tag to keep Williams or let him try his luck on the open market. If Williams doesn’t get hit with the tag these five teams would likely be the best fits for him in free agency.

5. Top landing spots for Mike Williams – New York Jets

It’s no secret that the Jets are in desperate need of a No. 1 receiver and Williams could certainly fit the bill. New York did give Corey Davis a three-year deal last spring to add a new weapon to their receiving room and it didn’t quite pan out like the Jets were hoping, which could raise a red flag for GM Joe Douglas with Williams.

Davis fits a similar profile to Williams as Top 10 picks who underachieved relative to their draft position but Williams did produce far better numbers over the course of his career than Davis had prior to the 2020 season. Williams would provide a big target for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson to grow with and is just entering his prime so the Jets don’t have to worry about a potential decline in the short term.

The unknown factor here is if Douglas would want to commit big money to Williams less than a year after paying for Davis when both players may be best served as No. 2 receivers. Williams will get paid like a top receiver by someone but it wouldn’t be shocking if the Jets have a walk-away number on him.

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