Antonio Williams may not have been the splashiest name in the Washington Commanders’ 2026 NFL Draft class, but he’s starting to look like one of the more intriguing ones.
Washington used its lone third-round pick on the Clemson wide receiver after taking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick. Williams wasn’t widely projected to land in Washington, but Adam Peters clearly wanted to add another body - and some real juice - to a receiver room that needed it. The Commanders saw him as the best available wideout when they were on the clock, and they believe he can help right away.
That idea is starting to pick up steam outside the building, too. Bleacher Report recently included Williams on a list of eight rookies who are the most overlooked in 2026, and ESPN’s Ben Solak went a step further by naming him a surprise candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"Williams has an opportunity that stacks up against many of his early-drafted contemporaries. There is hardly any competition in the Commanders' receivers room behind Terry McLaurin. Williams will catch passes from Jayden Daniels."
That opportunity is the big story here. Washington’s receiver talk has mostly centered on the possibility of adding Brandon Aiyuk, though the San Francisco 49ers receiver remains on their roster for now. But the Commanders may already have a strong answer in-house.
Williams brings a clean college résumé into camp: 11.2 yards per catch and 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons at Clemson. He also brings speed, clocking a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, along with the kind of quickness and wiggle that can make life difficult for defenders after the catch. In Washington, that skill set could play especially well from the slot and create the kind of matchup problems the team needs alongside Terry McLaurin.
The depth chart behind McLaurin is wide open, and that’s where Williams has a real path. The room includes a mix of veterans and younger players, but the rookie stands out as one of the most talented options in it. He’ll need development before he’s ready to fully handle NFL competition, but the Commanders believe the combination of David Blough and Bobby Engram can get him there quickly.
And Washington needs that growth to show up fast. The team is looking for someone who can draw attention away from McLaurin and force defenses to account for more than one threat. Williams has a chance to be that player, and if he hits in camp the way the Commanders hope, the team may not feel the need to chase a veteran receiver before training camp.
If Williams delivers, Washington could stand pat. If he doesn’t, the team still has the cap space to make another move.
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