Williams aims to master the playbook and excel beyond catching passes, embracing every aspect of receiver play to contribute fully to the Jaguars' offense.
CJ Williams wants to contribute to the Jacksonville Jaguars in any way possible, competing against teammates he's looked up to and aiming to become a complete player.
The Jaguars selected 22-year-old receiver with the 203rd pick in the recent NFL draft, and the former Stanford standout told reporters the coaching staff or Trevor Lawrence wouldn't have to worry about him.
"I don't think the staff is ever going to have to worry about me being in that playbook," Williams said in an April 25 Zoom call with reporters. "Trevor's never going to have to worry about -- or any of the quarterbacks for that matter -- dropping balls consistently. I want to be a complete guy that competes and adds to the room in whatever way possible."
Williams became a depth addition to a deep Jacksonville receiver unit. Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers are expected to rotate as starters next season.
The former Cardinal will compete with his fellow sixth-round pick, Josh Cameron, Chandler Brayboy, Austin Trammell, Tim Jones, and undrafted rookies Brady Boyd, Alex Bullock and Ben Patterson for backup reps.
Before the Jaguars drafted Williams, he said he knew the team was interested in him from conversations with his agent. As a result of the organization's interest, he started studying the film of his future teammates, Meyers and Washington.
"I love how Jakobi and Parker Washington play the game of football," Williams said. "Like, they come out there with the physical tenacity. You can tell that they have intent when they're blocking, especially when they run routes. They're consistent guys."
Williams complimented his other teammates as well, but Meyers and Washington are the standout role models for the sixth-round draft pick. Highlighting his teammates' blocking ability hammers the theme of Williams wanting to become a complete player.
While running routes are what receivers are known for, showcasing the ability to block adds to their versatility, and in the NFL, it's the small details that give incoming players more opportunities to earn a roster spot.
Washington was also a sixth-round pick (No. 185), and he has grown into a key player in Jacksonville's success. The former Penn State Nittany Lion improved every season and could be in line for a contract extension after a season hauling in 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns.
Williams' journey to the NFL was filled with ups and downs. The Mission Viejo, California, native was committed to Notre Dame for two and a half years before decommitting on signing day.
He signed with Southern California but transferred to Wisconsin after the coach who recruited him passed away. Williams spent two years with the Badgers, but he said it wasn't the best situation for receivers.
Finally, he transferred to Stanford for his final year, a place he called home and where he flourished.
"I was around like-minded individuals in the locker room," Williams said. "I had a receiver room that was extremely close and then a receiver coach and a head coach and offensive coordinator that, you know, believed me and trusted me."
Williams had 59 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns. He 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 Cardinal to do so since Alex Smith in 2004 and the first wide receiver to do so since Troy Walters in 1999.
The journey to the NFL was lengthy for Williams. Now, he is a Jaguar and is striving to become a complete player, looking up to his teammates and potentially panning out like Washington, another sixth-round wide receiver for Jacksonville.
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