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Mel Kiper calls Jameson Williams 'a fear factor player' ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•12/15/21•

NikkiChavanelle

Mel Kiper calls Jameson Williams a fear factor player ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Following the release of Todd McShay’s first NFL Mock Draft of the college postseason, analyst Mel Kiper raved about one fast riser. Alabama Crimson Tide wideout Jameson Williams shot up into the top 10 after one outstanding year in Tuscaloosa.

Kiper believes Williams could go higher than last year’s Alabama Heisman DeVonta Smith. Smith went No. 10 overall to the Eagles.

“He really scared those defenses,” Kiper said. “He was a fear-factor player.  Jameson Williams is going to go higher than where DeVonta Smith went. That’s really amazing in what he did in this one great year at Alabama.”

“Jameson Williams is incredibly deserving,” Kiper continued. “I contend, he’s the MVP [of the offense]. Where would Alabama be without Jameson Williams?  John Metchie III is a heckuva player, but this is a guy, you talk about taking the top off a defense, you do it once in a while, right? You’re pretty good. 

“Williams did it in six of the last seven games.  The only one he didn’t, he got a targeting and didn’t play in the second half against Auburn or it would’ve been seven-for-seven.  In six of the final seven games, he had a catch of 50 yards or more. That’s incredible.”

In the SEC title game against Georgia, Williams had seven receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns to help Alabama beat the Bulldogs 41-24 in Atlanta.

Jameson Williams earns top-10 billing

Jameson Williams lit up the scoreboard for 15 scores with Heisman winner Bryce Young this season. He missed out on the Biletnikoff Award due to Jordan Addison’s sheer volume of receptions, however, being the first wideout off the board in the 2022 draft might make up for it.

Mel Kiper compared Williams to McShay’s current No. 1 overall pick, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

“We talk about Aidan Hutchinson week-after-week being dynamic, this kid was as well. A big-time vertical threat, showed up every week, kick returner, toughness, he brought enthusiasm, and he brought intensity.  He did it all on offense.”