Week 8 at Denver
Williams had his worst game this season, as he only caught one of his three targets for four yards last week against Jacksonville. In a game in which Justin Herbert threw for a career-high 347 yards, for Williams to do next to nothing is very disappointing. It is becoming increasingly clear that Williams is an afterthought in this offense when Keenan Allen is healthy. In games in which Herbert has started, Williams has never had more than two receptions except for Week 5 when Allen was ruled out in the first quarter. Even in the deepest leagues, Williams is not a recommended start.
Week 7 vs Jacksonville
Mike Williams had one of the best games of his career in Week 5 before the bye week, as he caught five of his eight targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns. With Keenan Allen missing most of the game with a minor back injury, Williams dominated the targets as he repeatedly made soaring acrobatic catches. Prior to this game, it appeared Williams did not have much chemistry will Justin Herbert, however that appears to be false now.
Even with the return of Keenan Allen, Williams will retain his role as Chargers’ deep and red-zone threat, which will garner him plenty of looks in this potent offense. Against this poor Jacksonville secondary, fire up Williams as an upside WR3 in this one.
Week 3 vs. Carolina
For as much of an improvement as the offense made with Justin Herbert at QB, Williams seems to be the only one who has suffered because of it. Already Tyrod Taylor’s primary down field target in Week 1, Williams was only able to catch two of his four targets for 14 yards in Week 2. Williams might be the fourth receiving option in this offense and his chemistry with Herbert will be revealed as the season winds down. Williams should be viewed a WR4 in Week 3, however his big play potential always gives upside for a big game.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
By all accounts late last week, Williams’ shoulder injury was either going to keep him out of Week 1 or make him a decoy. He was neither as he led the team in targets with nine and finished the game with four catches for 69 yards. Williams flashed his big-play ability repeatedly being targeted downfield, and he looked as explosive as ever. It appears Tyrod Taylor might prefer Williams, but only time will tell if this connection is real. Williams’ big-play ability will keep him as an upside FLEX against Kansas City with serious WR3 appeal.
Fantasy Upside
The Chargers are going to have a new starting quarterback for the first time in forever, but they made sure he'll have at least one big-play target as the team picked up Mike Williams' fifth year option this offseason. The news came as no surprise. Recently, Williams was named the Chargers' "most-promising building block" by Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport. "Williams has been on something of a steady ascent over the past three seasons," Davenport wrote. "After an injury-marred rookie year, Williams became a big-time red-zone threat for the 12-4 Chargers in 2018, reeling in 10 touchdowns. He scored just twice in 2019, but he averaged 20.4 yards per reception -- tops in the league -- and topped 1,000 yards for the first time."
Fantasy Downside
He's not trending in a great direction. Williams actually led all wideouts in points per touch (3.60) in 2018, but was unable to meet expectations last year, scoring just two touchdowns after putting up 11 total scores the previous season. Also, did we mention the whole new quarterback thing?
2020 Bottom Line
While he still has room for added statistical success, Williams won't be more than a No. 3/4 wideout in 2020.
Week 17 at Kansas City Chiefs
In Week 16, Williams finished with three receptions on four targets for 51 scoreless yards, 52 air yards, 10% of the team targets, and 25% of the team air yards.
The Chargers have been out of the playoff picture for quite some time. However, at the time of writing this, the Chargers are likely to play their starters because this could be Rivers’ last game as a Charger.
Williams is in a difficult matchup on the road and the Chargers are only implied for 18.25 points. Kansas City is the third-best defense against wide receivers, as shown by our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Williams ranked as a mid half PPR WR3. Williams was the beneficiary of a two-yard touchdown pass in Week 15 but Melvin Gordon stole the short-yardage usage in the red zone with two 1-yard touchdown runs in Week 16.
Week 16 vs. Oakland Raiders
Mike Williams didn't score a touchdown in his first 11 games but has scored in back-to-back weeks. In Week 15, he played 84% of snaps, finished with four receptions on nine targets for 71 yards, one touchdown, 175 air yards, 23% of the team targets, and 52% of the team air yards.
Oakland’s defense is eleventh worst against wide receivers, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Williams ranked as a high-end half PPR WR3. Williams is a huge target in the red zone and it was encouraging to see the Chargers finally utilize his size and athletic ability with a two-yard touchdown pass against a smaller defender. Williams is always a threat to catch deep ballers but his floor would receive a boost if the Chargers stick to their game plan from last week to create mismatches with Williams inside the five-yard line.
Week 15 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The streak is finally over! Mike Williams scored his first touchdown of the season. In Week 14, he played 71% of snaps, finished with two receptions on three targets for 63 yards, one touchdown, 71 air yards, 11% of the team targets, and 27% of the team air yards.
The blueprint to beating the Vikings defense is through the passing game. They are the fourth-worst defense against wide receivers but eighteenth best against running backs, as shown by our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Allen ranked as a low-end half PPR WR3. Williams continues to be a boom or bust WR3 but should benefit from a narrow passing attack alongside Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry. These three receiving threats accounted for 93% of the team targets in Week 14.
Week 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars
It seems impossible but Mike Williams still hasn’t scored a touchdown. Per Adam Levitan, Williams scored 10 TDs on 66 targets last year but hasn’t scored on 69 targets this year.
The Jaguars are the 12-best defense against wide receivers, as shown by our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Williams ranked as a mid-range half PPR WR4.
Week 13 at Denver Broncos
The Chargers had a bye in Week 12.
Williams hasn’t scored a touchdown all season and it looks like the streak might continue against a stingy Broncos secondary. They are 10th against wide receivers, as shown by our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. Points might be limited in this game because it has the second-lowest over/under (38.5) of the week. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Williams ranked as a low-end half PPR WR4.
