Rookie wide receiver CJ Williams was among the standout performers for the Jacksonville Jaguars during offseason programs. He has since carried that momentum over to Day 1 of training camp.
Williams earned John Shipley’s ‘Play of the Day’ honor on Wednesday, making a sliding catch on a pass from Nick Mullens with linebacker Ventrell Miller tight in coverage.
“I mean, he gets it,” Liam Coen said after practice. “You don’t have to tell him much, honestly. Like, there’s not a ton of coaching points for CJ on a day-to-day basis. It’s just about getting him some of those opportunities and physically being able to do everything right. I think the quarterbacks innately trust him, being at the right time, at the right spot at the right time, and he’s going to typically catch the football, right? So, he’s another guy that he’s been able to pick up the offense very quickly, and excited to see if he can help us out this year.”
Williams’ reliability, both as a pass catcher and to be in the right spots, is a veteran-like quality that the rookie possesses, and the more he’s able to showcase that, the more opportunities will come his way.
Beyond his steady play, Williams fits the mold of what the Jaguars look for at wideout — a big-bodied pass-catcher who is willing to block.
“He’s a good example of a guy that just knows what to do, always in the right spot because he studies so hard,” said Trevor Lawrence. “I’ve been really impressed as a rookie with how he’s come in and really gotten the playbook down pretty quickly. I haven’t seen him make too many mistakes and running the wrong route or blocking the wrong guy and he knows what he’s doing and he studies.
“So, then I think that’s letting his talent show because he’s in the right spot and he has the opportunity to make the plays. So, he’s just got to keep getting better every day. I like what I see from him. I mean, he’s a really good player, and he can definitely help us.”
The top of the Jaguars’ wide receiver depth chart is well established, but if Williams keeps performing like this, it’s going to be difficult to keep him off the field.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars late Day 3 draft pick has attention of Liam Coen, Trevor Lawrence
