Jameson Williams 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds: Detroit Lions 2022 first-round receiver among five players suspended for gambling

The Detroit Lions haven't won the NFC North Division since 1993, the longest divisional title drought in the NFL, but with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers presumably off to the New York Jets any day now, the Lions are the +155 favorites to win the North at Caesars Sportsbook in 2023 after improving to 9-8 this past season. Those odds haven't changed in the wake of the NFL suspending four Detroit players for gambling, with the biggest name being 2022 first-round receiver Jameson Williams. He's currently +3000 to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year. 

Williams and Stanley Berryhill, also a second-year receiver, were suspended six games each for mobile betting that occurred at the Lions' suburban Allen Park facility. They did not bet on NFL games, the team said. Fellow wideout Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore were suspended indefinitely and can reapply for reinstatement after one year. Detroit released both, however. Neither was a big factor in 2022 (nor was Berryhill), as Cephus played in only two games and had two catches for 15 yards. Moore played in 11 and had 12 tackles.

Detroit traded up to No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft to take Williams out of Alabama. He had an electric 2021 season with the Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors, but tore his ACL in the national title game loss to Georgia. It was well known that Williams wouldn't be ready for the start of the '22 NFL season, but the Lions moved up to get him regardless. He saw action in six games but had just one catch, a 41-yard TD vs. Minnesota on Dec. 11, showing his big-play ability.

It's not clear if the suspensions will affect Detroit's draft strategy next week in Kansas City. Caesars Sportsbook favors the Lions at -240 to take a defensive back with their first pick, which currently is No. 6 overall via the Rams, acquired in the Matthew Stafford trade. Receiver is +1000. Detroit also picks 18th. The team is pretty deep at wideout with rising star Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds and free-agent addition Marvin Jones Jr. Jones had his best season in 2017 with Detroit when he caught 61 passes for 1,101 yards and nine scores. He spent the past two seasons in Jacksonville. Running back De'Andre Swift essentially serves as a receiver out of the backfield and sometimes lines up as a wideout. 

Also suspended indefinitely was Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. He saw action in 16 games last year with eight tackles. Former Falcons Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for all of the 2022 campaign for betting. He's now with Jacksonville, has been reinstated and is a second-favorite for NFL Comeback Player of the Year at +2500 (the Bills' Damar Hamlin is the heavy -650 favorite). 

League policy prohibits players from gambling on NFL games, the draft or other activities, and from taking part in any form of gambling while at a league or team facility or traveling with the club. The NFL schedule should be out next month so we will know if Williams can return in Week 7 or Week 8, depending on whether Detroit's bye falls within the first six weeks.

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