Jim Costa Proposes Trading Jameson Williams for Brian Burns

Should the Lions trade Jameson Williams?

The Detroit Lions have not gotten much production from Jameson Williams throughout the early part of his career. 

He missed most of his rookie campaign recovering from injury, making just one catch for 41 yards. This season, he returned to action Sunday, after missing the first four games due to a suspension. 

Detroit is off to a 4-1 start, and has gotten a superb start from its defense. Aidan Hutchinson has played at an elite level, and could benefit from adding a running mate on the defensive line. 

Jim Costa, a host on Lions' flagship radio station, proposed a trade Wednesday that would send Williams to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Brian Burns, another elite pass rusher. 

"My point would be, they won in Kansas City without him, they won in Green Bay without him, they're in first place in this division without him," Costa explained. "He has been unreliable. He is not someone who is untouchable, and to get a difference-maker for this team, I would be willing to include him."  

Costa stated that the Lions could include a first-round pick with Williams, if it meant they could work out an extension with Burns. On the flip side, he believes dealing Williams could be beneficial for the struggling Panthers offense. 

The young wideout played collegiately with Bryce Young, who Carolina took first overall in the 2023 draft. His performance early in his career has not lived up to initial expectations for him, based on his status as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft. 

"I think what's gonna be tough for him is he's not gonna be a guy who gets 10-12 targets," Costa explained. "So, you're gonna be judged on very small, bite-sized samples in games. So, when you don't catch the ball, it gets magnified."

Burns has been a strong defender for the struggling Panthers. He has four sacks through five games. He's in the final year of his contract, and the two sides don't appear to be close to working out a contract. 

If the Lions would be able to guarantee an extension with the talented rusher, Costa believes sending Williams, along with a first-round pick, would be adequate compensation. If no extension were guaranteed, the price of the pick would go down. 

"If they were getting an extension, I would offer a first with Jamo," the talk show host explained. "If it was a rental, no, then we're talking a second or third with Jamo to bring in Burns and chase a title. It's spicy because it's Jamo and people have conflicted feelings about him, but if it's to get a difference-maker on defense to chase a title, you do it."