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Derrick Williams | Wide Receiver

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (26) / 7/6/1986
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 197
College: Penn State
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Former Lions WR Derrick Williams has signed with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts.
A third-round pick of the Lions in 2009, Williams lasted just two years in the NFL. There was never much more than straight-line speed here, which proved to be a problem for a 5'11/197 inside receiver. Mar 15 - 9:19 AM

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Player News

Date:

Steelers signed WR Derrick Williams and CB Walter McFadden to reserve/future contracts.

A third-round pick of the Lions in 2009, Williams notched just nine catches in 18 games before being cut in September following a brutal preseason. If he makes the team in 2012, it will be as a special teamer. The brother of Steelers CB Bryant McFadden and a former fifth-round pick, Walter has made five tackles in four career games.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012 12:26:00 PM

Lions WR Derrick Williams dropped back-to-back "perfectly thrown passes" from Drew Stanton in the second quarter of Detroit's preseason opener on Friday.

Williams did make a 32-yard catch one play later, but the performance was not good news for a player that needs to shine to keep his roster spot. Unless the Lions decide he can be an asset on special teams, he'll be gone.
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 12:24:00 PM

Derrick Williams' roster spot is in serious jeopardy, according to beat writer Tom Kowalski.

The signing of Rashied Davis likely signals the end of the line for Williams in Detroit. He's lost his return specialist gig to Stefan Logan as well.
Source: MLive.com
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 12:30:00 PM

The Lions are expected to keep only four wide receivers on their active roster in 2011.

Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and second-round rookie Titus Young are locked in, leaving Derrick Williams to compete with Bryant Johnson, Tim Toone, Michael Moore, and whomever is brought in during free agency. Johnson is almost certainly out at his salary, but Williams will be squarely on the bubble after failing to impress in any of his first two seasons.
Tue, May 31, 2011 11:54:00 AM

Lions placed WR Derrick Williams (ankle) on injured reserve, ending his season.

The current Lions regime has done a fine job in the past two drafts, but Williams looms as a third-round bust. Williams caught just three passes for 30 yards this year after producing six catches last season. Billed as an explosive return threat when he entered the league, he didn't field a single kick in 2010. He's guaranteed nothing for 2011.
Fri, Dec 10, 2010 11:12:00 AM

Derrick Williams hasn't done enough to warrant a roster spot, according to the Detroit News.

Not a surprise. Williams, a third-round pick last year, found himself benched on multiple occasions. He isn't ready to contribute as a receiver, and Aaron Brown has emerged as the Lions' top option at kick returner.
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 11:40:00 AM

Lions WR Derrick Williams will have to show some "flash" on returns this summer to make the final roster, according to beat writer Tom Kowalski.

The Lions have added depth at receiver, so Williams will have to outshine Aaron Brown, Dennis Northcutt, and rookie Tim Toone on special teams to make the squad. While he may offer the most upside of that group, he'll have to show major improvement after struggling to find the ball on punts while also losing kickoff return duties in 2009.
Source: MLive.com
Wed, Jul 7, 2010 11:54:00 AM

Lions WR Derrick Williams "has to" get better in the return game, according to GM Martin Mayhew.

Williams was a third-round bust as a rookie, fumbling away return duties and contributing just six catches on offense. With the Lions improving their depth at receiver, he may have to outplay Dennis Northcutt to stick around for another shot at both punt and kickoff returns this year.
Sat, May 8, 2010 07:34:00 PM

Lions coach Jim Schwartz insisted after the team's Week 17 loss that he isn't ready to give up on rookie WR Derrick Williams.

Williams was benched on multiple occasions in his rookie year, including Sunday after fumbling a kick return. "You've got to count on players improving," Schwartz said. "I wouldn't want to...just give up on a guy (after one year)." The third-round pick finished 2009 with just six catches for 52 yards.
Source: MLive.com
Sun, Jan 3, 2010 09:49:00 PM

Lions declared WR Derrick Williams, S Kalvin Pearson, FB Terrelle Smith, LB Ernie Sims, C Melvin Fowler, OT Ephraim Salaam, and DE Dewayne White inactive for Thursday's game against Green Bay.

White's loss is the biggest blow here. He is the Lions' best all-around defensive end. DeAndre Levy will start at weak-side linebacker, as he has been for several weeks. Dennis Northcutt will be Detroit's third receiver.
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 11:28:00 AM

Lions WR/KR Derrick Williams injured his hip while returning a kickoff against the Vikings Sunday.

Williams hasn't been able to get going in the passing game and recorded just two catches Sunday before leaving. His status for Week 11 against the Browns is unknown.
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 11:13:00 AM

The Lions used rookie Derrick Williams as their third receiver in Sunday's loss, with Dennis Northcutt moving down the depth chart.

Northcutt has been a drop machine, just like he was in Cleveland, so the change was deserved. Williams didn't see one target and was outproduced by No. 2 TE Casey FitzSimmons. None of the above are on the fantasy radar.
Source: MLive.com
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 11:32:00 PM

Lions rookie WR/KR Derrick Williams had his best game of the season against the Steelers in Week 5.

Williams provided the Lions with improved field position on kickoff returns and made consecutive catches of 18 and 19 yards on the game's final drive. Williams won't be a fantasy option as the Lions' No. 4 receiver.
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 04:55:00 PM

The Lions have promoted rookie Derrick Williams to their starting kickoff returner, replacing Aaron Brown.

"It's time for him to deliver," coach Jim Schwartz said of Williams, who has been inactive to this point. Brown was replaced Sunday by Adam Jennings, but Jennings may go on I.R. after suffering a "significant" ankle injury.
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 03:43:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Josh Portis
2Jerrod Johnson
3Trent Edwards
4Kyle Padron
5Nathan Stanley
6Collin Klein
7Alex Carder
RB1Michael Turner
2D.J. Ware
3Beanie Wells
4Curtis Brinkley
5Jamie Harper
6Brandon Saine
7Willis McGahee
8Stefphon Jefferson
9Richard Murphy
10Javarris James
11Darren Evans
GLB1Michael Turner
2Beanie Wells
3Curtis Brinkley
4Willis McGahee
3RB1D.J. Ware
2Beanie Wells
3Curtis Brinkley
FB1Lousaka Polite
2Vonta Leach
3Spencer Larsen
4Brit Miller
5Brock Bolen
6Owen Schmitt
7Alex Debniak
8Robert Hughes
9Dorson Boyce
10Nate Eachus
11Jourdan Brooks
12Ryan Roberson
13Rupert Bryan
14Eddie Williams
15Ryan D'Imperio
WR11Titus Young
2Jabar Gaffney
3Laurent Robinson
4Steve Breaston
5Emmanuel Arceneaux
6Chastin West
7Justin Hilton
8Bert Reed
9Cole McKenzie
10Chris Denton
11Rashaard Carter
12Scott Pillar
WR21Brandon Lloyd
2Early Doucet
3Kerry Meier
4Brandon Banks
5Darius Hanks
6Dale Moss
7Lavasier Tuinei
8Duke Calhoun
9Seyi Ajirotutu
10Michael Calvin
11Ronald Johnson
12Jason Thompson
WR31Jabar Gaffney
2Laurent Robinson
3Steve Breaston
TE1Randy McMichael
2David Thomas
3Kevin Boss
4Josh Baker
5Steve Watson
6Daniel Graham
7Joe Sawyer
8Dedrick Epps
9Dominique Curry
10Martin Rucker
11Cameron Morrah
12Evan Moore
13Taylor Cook