5 reasons to believe RB Jamaal Williams will make an immediate impact with the Saints

The New Orleans Saints landed former Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams on Wednesday in a move that provides a much needed boost to the depth chart.

Williams is coming off his best season as a pro with the Lions, carrying 262 times for 1,066 yards and an NFL-best 17 rushing touchdowns. 

Williams has six years in the NFL under his belt following a standout career at BYU that included a pair of 1,000-yard seasons. He was a fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft. 

The California native meets multiple needs for the Saints, and he should see plenty of touches in Pete Carmichael’s offense.

Here are five reasons to believe that Williams will make an immediate difference in New Orleans:

Jamaal Williams provides the power

Alvin Kamara has always been best when paired with a running back who can get the tough yardage up the middle, and Williams can do just that.

At 6-foot, 224 pounds, Williams provides plenty of pop with the ball in his hands. Included in his league-best total of 17 touchdowns were 10 goal-line TDs – also tops in the NFL.

A 1-yard TD run against the Eagles last season put his power on full display. As many as three different defenders appeared to hit Williams behind the line of scrimmage, but he bounced off the group to cruise into the end zone. 

The Saints now have the punch to pair with the speedy and versatile Kamara.

The Detroit #Lions now lead the Philadelphia #Eagles 7-0 after this Jamaal Williams rushing #touchdown pic.twitter.com/oRZD37Gm2X

— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) September 11, 2022

He can fill in for Alvin Kamara

It’s unclear how much time Kamara will miss this season as he continues to deal with the legal fallout of his alleged involvement in the beating of a man in Las Vegas in February 2022. He and three other men have been indicted in the matter, and a suspension seems likely for the Tennessee product.

If Kamara is out for a significant amount of time, Williams can carry the load for the Saints in his absence.

Williams has proven fairly durable throughout his NFL career, never missing more than three games in a season. He had a career high of 262 carries with Detroit last season.

Jamaal Williams has been consistently productive

While NFL running backs often tend to trail off after five or six seasons, Williams appears to be hitting his stride entering his seventh season. 

After averaging 3.6 and 3.8 yards a rush over his first two seasons with Green Green Bay, Williams has since averaged over four yards a carry with a career high of 4.3 in 2019.

The Lions didn’t use Williams much as a receiving option, but he has shown he can help in that area as well. He had a career high of 39 catches for 253 yards and five touchdowns with Green Bay in 2019.

Jamaal Williams is a high character addition

Williams was a fan favorite during his time in Detroit, and he is known for his outgoing personality.

He should be a good addition in the Saints locker room. Last year, the running back gave his Lions teammates and coaches custom robes. 

He’s a self-described “nerd” and he labels himself “my own main character in my own animated show,” according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

Jamaal Williams just lost his great grandfather at 92, set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season, and eliminated his former team from the playoffs

👑👑👑
pic.twitter.com/BtnPQS9MxJ

— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) January 9, 2023

Jamaal Williams wants to be in New Orleans

He was one of the most sought after running backs on the free agent market, but he chose the Saints over teams like the Bills, Bears, Bengals and Panthers.

Williams is reportedly receiving a three-year contract worth $12 million, including $8 million in guaranteed money.

The Saints are hoping that Kamara can work out his legal issues and pair with Williams this season, but the team has to be thrilled that it landed a running back who can be the No. 1 option if necessary.

The Saints have rarely hit a home run in free agency when it comes to signing running backs, but it’s easy to see Williams being a success in New Orleans.