Fantasy Impact: Jameson Williams Suspended Six Games

Lions receiver was expected to be a popular fantasy sleeper in 2023.

The NFL has suspended five players for violating the league’s gambling policy, including Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill and Quintez Cephus (who was released by the team). Williams will now miss the first six games of the 2023 campaign, which will lead to a decline in his fantasy draft appeal.

Cephus, along with Lions safety C.J. Moore and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney are suspended indefinitely. The suspensions for Williams and Berryhill are six games because they placed bets on non-NFL games from an NFL team facility. 

The news has major fantasy implications, as Williams was considered a potential sleeper in the Lions offense. He’s obviously now off the redraft radar, and his stock in dynasty leagues will take a tumble. In his absence, veteran Marvin Jones Jr. will be worth a late-round look in some leagues. The same goes for Josh Reynolds, who will see more work with both Williams and Cephus out of the wideout rotation.

The NFL announces the suspension of five players due to gambling violations. pic.twitter.com/n4xpQv7YOT

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) April 21, 2023

Of course, the Lions could also decide to draft a receiver with one of their first three picks in the first and second rounds of the upcoming NFL draft. In all, Detroit holds a combined nine picks including four in the top 55, so adding a wideout makes sense even if it's not on Day 1.