Dec 11, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Damian Williams (17) runs after a reception against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at LP Field. The Saints beat the Titans 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Five wide receivers are competing for roster spots on the 2013-14 Tennessee Titans. Only two or three of them will make the team. On June 3, Titan Sized started the evaluation process with Nate Washington.
Today (June 4), we’ll look at Damian Williams. Let’s take a look at the resume of this 25-year-old receiver who’s entering his fourth NFL season:
Yahoo Sports, picture from Joshua Huffman
The Titans drafted Williams with the No. 77 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. For the most part, Williams has seen limited playing time because of the organization’s emphasis toward drafting receivers. Kenny Britt (2009), Kendall Wright (2012) and Justin Hunter (2013) were all drafted with a top-34 pick. Other factors that affected Williams’ playing time were Washington’s durability and Jared Cook playing a high percentage of his snaps at wide receiver.
At 6-1 and 199 pounds, Williams has been a serviceable player with a solid combination of size and speed. In 2011, Williams had a chance to make a strong impression after Britt went down with his knee injury. He finished that season with 45 receptions for 592 yards and five touchdowns. The problem was that those 45 receptions came on 94 targets. He made plays on fewer than half of his targets.
In 2012, the receptions-to-target ratio improved from 45-to-94 (47.9 percent) to 30-to-45 (66.7 percent). Unfortunately, Williams finished that season without a touchdown. That was the second time in three years where he didn’t record any receiving touchdowns.
An unspectacular but solid training camp should mean another season on the bottom of the depth chart, especially if six receivers are kept. Even if he were released, Williams should find work elsewhere, similar to Lavelle Hawkins joining the New England Patriots.
How do our readers feel about Williams? As of today, does Williams make the roster? Answer in the poll below.
Monday: Nate Washington
Tuesday: Damian Williams
Wednesday: Michael Preston
Thursday: Marc Mariani
Friday: Kevin Walter
Saturday: (Blank)
Sunday: Review