Wide receivers such as Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson were all moved before the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline – and more could be dealt before the deadline expires.
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams is a name that keeps coming for teams in need of a wideout, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Williams is believed to be one of, if not the best, wide receiver remaining on the trading block. Many inquiring teams believe the Jets are inclined to trade Williams after the club acquired Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders in October.
The eighth-year wide receiver is in the midst of a quiet first season in New York. He has just 12 catches and 166 yards in nine regular-season games. He ranks sixth on the team in both catches and receiving yards.
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New York could decide to hold on to Williams, especially after the club placed WR Allen Lazard on injured reserve with a chest injury prior to its Week 9 game versus the Houston Texans.
Without Lazard, Williams played 41 total snaps during the team’s “Thursday Night Football” victory, third most among Jets receivers behind Garrett Wilson (57) and Adams (45). But he logged only one catch for six yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers are rumored to be among the teams interested in wide receivers. ESPN reported the Steelers pursued WR Christian Kirk before he suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 8 loss. Pittsburgh has the NFL’s 25th ranked passing attack, while Los Angeles is ranked 24th. Week 9 outcomes could persuade teams to be buyers or sellers before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Nov. 5.
New York signed Williams after the Chargers released him in March. Williams produced 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in seven seasons in Los Angeles.
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