Chiefs preseason: Don’t get too excited about Fred Williams

Aug 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Fred Williams (83) celebrates a 13 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

I will admit that when I saw Williams’ name next to his stats from Saturday, I was unfamiliar with him. I was surprised to find that one of the stars of Saturday’s game has actually been with the Chiefs since 2013 – on the practice squad. Prior to that he was in the Arena League.

When I went to check his bio on the Chiefs official website, I found his biography blank, and every one of the stat categories had an entry that read “No Data.” (See for yourself here) If the Chiefs had great plans for the guy, you would think they might put up a little more information after having been on the team for a couple of years.

Pro-football-reference.com also listed him as having played in zero games in his NFL career.

That is not to say that he has not been on the field at all, but this weekend was, by far, his biggest contribution to the team. He saw some time in the 2014 preseason, but caught a total of four passes for 51 yards and no touchdowns. Most of that came in the final preseason game against Green Bay (three receptions for 44 yards), a game when the starters generally see the least amount of time.

In Week 3 of last year’s preseason, generally the game teams take most seriously, he did not record a single reception.

And even when it became obvious last season that the Kansas City receiving corps. left something to be desired, he was never promoted from the practice squad. So I imagine that his camp and preseason performance will have to be pretty special to earn a roster spot among an improved group of pass catchers.

Making the 53-man roster is still certainly possible for Williams, as the Kansas City Star reports him getting praise from both Coach Andy Reid and Daniel. And if he can continue to churn out performances like he did against the Cardinals, then you would be hard pressed to say that he did not earn his spot fair and square.

The problem with that, however, is mentioned in the same article from the Star.  The top spots for receiver have been all but assigned, and Williams will have to compete with Frankie Hammond and Da’Ron Brown to see any time on the field in the regular season. And that may be a tall task.

Next: Will he even make the roster?