Sixth-round pick CJ Williams is turning heads in Jacksonville, sacrificing sleep to master the playbook and earning veteran trust through his precise route running and preparation.
Rookie wide receiver CJ Williams has studied the Jacksonville Jaguars' playbook obsessively, and his hard work has impressed his veteran quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, during training camp.
“He’s a good example of a guy who knows what to do,” Lawrence told reporters. “He’s always in the right spot because he studies so hard."
The sixth-round pick told News4Jax's Alessandra Pontbriand he doesn't feel confident taking the field if he hasn't recited, written down and walked through the plays. He's sacrificed sleep on countless nights to master the playbook.
Williams vowed his signal-callers wouldn't have to worry about him running the wrong routes or dropping passes after being drafted 203rd overall. That's paid off so far in camp, as he's caught a few passes from backup Nick Mullens.
His time at Stanford helped him prepare for the NFL. The former Cardinal played in a pro-style offense under then-coach Frank Reich, who is the New York Jets' offensive coordinator.
Reich's scheme helped Jacksonville's rookie have a career year in his first season with the program. Williams hauled in 59 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns, which was more than his previous three seasons combined at Wisconsin (2023-24) and Southern California (2022).
He accomplished feats that stood for several seasons in school history. The 6-foot-1 receiver had four games with 100 yards or more, the most since J.J. Arcega Whiteside in 2018. Three of those performances came in consecutive weeks, becoming the first player to do so since Alex Smith in 2004 and the first wide receiver to do so since Troy Walters in 1999.
Stanford's former lead receiver has studied his new teammates as well. The 23-year-old watched film of Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, and was amazed by their consistency.
Williams noted they run routes and block with intention, never going through the motions. He's embodying the same mentality, which has caught Lawrence's eye, and he could catch passes from him sooner rather than later.
Jacksonville's receiving core is deep. Brian Thomas Jr., Washington and Meyers headline the starting group, and Travis Hunter will continue to see offensive snaps as a dual-position player.
Climbing up the depth chart is a tall task for the rookie, who is also competing against his fellow sixth-round mate Josh Cameron. Lawrence's recognition in the early days of camp is an encouraging sign for the future.
Mastering the playbook is a crucial part of rising the ranks, and Williams is off to a good start.
The Jaguars will get to see how their rookie's performance in training camp holds up in two weeks in their preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
