Should the Chargers consider Ryan Coleman-Williams next offseason?
Ryan Coleman-Williams, formerly Ryan Williams, is an explosive receiver with uncanny athleticism that makes him a matchup nightmare, despite serious issues surrounding his hands. Because of this, he was the Los Angeles Chargers’ selection in Sayre Bedinger’s latest way-too-early first-round mock draft at NFL Spin Zone. Coleman-Williams would be a dynamic addition to the Chargers’ offense and would be the weapon Justin Herbert needs to elevate the offense.
“Ryan Coleman-Williams was once considered right on par with the likes of Jeremiah Smith, but his stock has tumbled a bit. I'm anticipating a huge bounce-back year for him this year at Alabama, and the 1st-round hype will skyrocket as a result of it,” Bedinger wrote. “He's an explosive playmaker at every level of the field, and fantastic with the ball in his hands.”
As Bedinger eluded, Coleman-Williams' otherworldly burst and quickness separate him from the competition. He uses his rapid acceleration to fly off the line, instantly stressing the opposing cornerback deep. This gives him ample space underneath to roam. This is the only way to defend him, as his blazing deep speed will consistently burn the defender if they don’t respect him.
Coleman-Williams is an amazing route runner. He expertly uses his twitchiness at the breaks of his routes, selling one direction then cutting another. Additionally, he excels at stemming defenders and using their leverage against them.
Even with this, Coleman-Williams is most dangerous after the catch. He uses his aforementioned athleticism to evade defenders and create big plays. He has an excellent juke/spin package and frequently implements them to break tackles. As a result, he’s a dangerous option in the screen/short pass game for an offense.
The biggest issue with Coleman-Williams is his inconsistent hands. They were an issue in 2024, but became exponentially worse in 2025, particularly in the first half of the season. It seemed he was afraid of contact and struggled to focus on the ball throughout contact. Because of this, he had a nearly 17% drop percentage, which is abysmal for the position. Fortunately for him, this did improve towards the back-end of the season, but it’s still something worth watching next year.
Coleman-Williams is an ideal fit in the Chargers' offense. He would pair perfectly with Ladd McConkey and form a dynamic tandem for Justin Herbert, which they’ve lacked in recent seasons. Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston hasn’t met expectations, although there were flashes last year, so addressing the position after 2026 would be wise.
It’s still early, but Chargers fans should keep an eye on Ryan Coleman-Williams. If everything goes right, then he could be an enticing option for the team next offseason.
