2022 NFL Free Agency: Mike Williams & Los Angeles Chargers Agree to New Deal
With the 2022 NFL franchise tag deadline just hours away, the Los Angeles Chargers got a deal done with free-agent-to-be Mike Williams. They inked the wide receiver to a three-year, $60 million contract with $40 million of that guaranteed. The Chargers avoided placing the franchise tag on Williams with this deal, giving them more stability in a loaded AFC West division.
Williams had a career year in 2021, posting 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. This deal is a great decision by the Chargers, as it keeps a key piece of their receiving corps together with Justin Herbert through the end of his rookie contract. With the news of the Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, the rapport between Herbert and Williams is now even more important. The Los Angeles offense will be competing in one of the toughest divisions in football for the foreseeable future.
This signing shouldn’t affect Williams' ADP much, as there aren’t any other changes on the team yet. He’s currently sitting at an ADP of 59.1 (WR28) on Underdog Fantasy, in the range of players like Michael Thomas, Michael Pittman, Marquise Brown, and Hunter Renfrow. Williams finished as WR10 in 1/2 PPR leagues last season, so he’s a steal in your Underdog drafts at this ADP.
Fantasy Football 2022 RELATED LINKS
Russell Wilson Traded to the Denver Broncos - Andrew Cooper breaks down the Quarterback movement from around the league after the Denver Broncos trade for Russell Wilson after Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay.
NFL Free Agent Team Needs – Looking to see how other NFL teams should be handling their offseason heading into free agency? Check out our NFL Team Hub for a complete team-by-team breakdown!
NFL Top Free Agents By Position – Check out our Top 5 Free Agent series with breakdowns of each position on both offense and defense!
Player News
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan expects Jaxson Dart to sit his entire rookie year if “all goes well.”
The problem with that otherwise sensible opinion, of course, is that it is extremely unlikely “all goes well” with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on a roster that found itself picking at No. 3 overall last month. If the Giants are genuinely serious about redshirting Dart for a year, it will be easier than most places because of the presence of two veteran quarterbacks instead of just one, but coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen both have their jobs on the line. That almost equals “break rookie glass.” Teams have become more amenable to sitting blue-chip rookie QBs in recent years, but we would be stunned if Dart fails to make 2025 starts.
Colts claimed DT Eric Johnson II off waivers from the Patriots.
A 2022 fifth-round pick of the Colts, Johnson spent two years in Indy before last year’s sojourn in Boston. Waived at final cuts last summer, Johnson was claimed by the Pats. He’s been a steady special teamer and rotational depth piece up front. Johnson’s Colts experience greatly enhances his 53-man roster odds, but his spot will be far from a given. He turns 27 in July.
NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco reports that the 49ers and OT D.J. Humphries do not have a deal in place.
Humphries reported on his social media account a few weeks ago that he had agreed to a contract with the 49ers, but that does not appear to be the case. At least for now. Humphries tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season and was released by the Cardinals. He spent most of the 2024 season rehabbing before signing with the Chiefs. He started at left tackle in Week 14 before hurting his hamstring and missing the rest of the season. He will continue to search for another opportunity.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore (blood clots) will be ready to play in Week 1.
Barmore was limited to just four games last season while battling blood clots. He told reporters on Thursday that he’s been cleared for all football activity and has been a full participant in the Patriots’ offseason workout program. He expects to be fully ready by Week 1.
Raiders hired Brandon Hunt as Vice President of Player Personnel
Hunt was most recently the senior director of scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles and spent the previous two seasons as their director of scouting. Before joining the Eagles, Hunt spent 12 seasons (2010-21) as the pro scouting coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reports Caleb Williams considered forcing a pre-draft trade from the Bears before ultimately deciding he could win in Chicago.
In other words, he mulled pulling an Elway. “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” were the words of Caleb’s father Carl to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. Williams reportedly desired a trade to the Vikings, but he changed his mind after touring the Bears’ facility. “I can do it for this team,” Caleb reportedly told his dad. “I’m going to go to the Bears.” Williams acknowledged any attempt to force a trade would require going scorched earth on the Bears and city of Chicago, a process he did not have the stomach for. There have been zero reports of Bears/Williams drama since he made his peace with the idea, even after former coach Matt Eberflus’ clown show 2024 mistakes. It’s an interesting story, but one firmly planted in the past.