Jamaal Williams is headed to Detroit.
The former Packers running back has agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $7.5 million with the Lions, as reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Tuesday night.
Williams, 25, is entering his fifth season in the NFL. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft from BYU and has spent most of his career behind Aaron Jones, who was the Packers' fifth-round pick in 2017.
Williams finished the 2020 NFL season with 505 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 31 catches for 236 yards and one receiving touchdown over 14 games. He joins 2020 second-round pick D'Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson on the Lions' running back depth chart, which could negatively impact Swift's long-term value for fantasy football. Veteran back Adrian Peterson, 35, is a free agent and intends to continue his career, but has yet to re-signed by Detroit at this time.
Williams' departure from Green Bay primarily benefits Jones, the Packers' bell-cow running back who just signed a four-year, $48 million extension on Sunday. Jones, 26, should see additional touches — especially in the passing game, which is an area in which Williams was utilized frequently.
A.J. Dillon — the 22-year-old from Boston College selected in the second-round of the 2020 NFL Draft — should also reap benefits from this move and may see an increased workload heading into his sophomore season. He appeared in 11 games last season and rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
