The Washington Commanders left Philadelphia with a loss, but they may have come away with something more important for the long run: real answers from two rookies who looked ready right away.
Linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Antonio Williams both flashed in the Commanders’ Week 1 defeat to the Eagles, and each one gave Washington a reason to feel better about the direction of its draft haul.
Williams made his NFL regular-season debut count. He finished with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown at the goal line, a play that drew some debate because the ball hit the ground. Still, he had already secured control, and the ruling stood.
Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams both shone in Commanders' Week 1 loss
Styles was just as loud on defense. He picked up the first sack of his career on a snap where he blew up the Eagles’ backfield and knocked out both Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on the same play. He added a second tackle-for-loss later in the game, making his presence felt from the opening series onward.
Oh my Sonny Styles 😳
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- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 13, 2026
For a fan base that has watched too many draft classes come under fire, the early returns on these two were a welcome change. The Commanders’ recent classes, especially the 2024 and 2025 groups assembled by general manager Adam Peters, have not drawn strong reviews outside of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who still needs a big season to restore his stock.
That’s part of why Styles’ debut stood out so much. After social media types rushed to label him a bust based on fewer than 20 preseason snaps, the No. 7 overall pick answered with the kind of physical, disruptive showing Washington had to love. His strength and athleticism popped immediately, and he looked like a player who will only get more dangerous as the NFL game slows down for him.
Williams made his case in a different way. He didn’t just catch passes; he looked comfortable doing it, and he came through when it mattered. He led the team in receiving yards, caught all four of his targets, and gave Daniels a reliable rookie target in a pressure spot.
Jayden Daniels to the rookie, Antonio Williams, for a TD ‼️
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- NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
That kind of early trust matters for young receivers, and it matters even more for a Commanders offense that has seen recent picks like Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane struggle to carve out roles. Williams looked like he belonged immediately, and that’s no small thing. The Clemson product appears to have exactly what teams want to see from a young wideout.
Washington’s season is still wide open, but the bigger picture remains the same: the franchise has to build something lasting through the draft. That’s been a weak spot for years, stretching back through Ron Rivera’s tenure. For now, though, Styles and Williams look like promising pieces who could grow into much more.
In Other News...
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The bigger concern came up front, where the offensive line had trouble protecting Jayden Daniels and made life difficult for the rookie quarterback. Mike Sainristil also had a rough night in coverage, leaving Washington with a few issues to clean up even after a close contest that suggested the gap between the teams was not overwhelming. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Owens Gave Commanders Fans One Highlight Worth Rewatching
Amid a tight Week 1 NFC East loss in Philadelphia, one of the few Washington moments worth replaying came from special teams. Tyler Owens broke through multiple blockers on a kick coverage play, giving the Commanders a jolt in a game that otherwise tilted toward the Eagles early and forced Washington to spend much of the afternoon clawing back.
Jayden Daniels helped fuel a late rally that made the finish tense, but Washington could not finish the comeback after the Eagles stuffed the two-point conversion attempt that would have tied it. For the Commanders, the loss still comes with a small bit of encouragement in Owens' hustle play, the kind of snap that can stick with a coaching staff even when the final score does not. [Read more 🡒]
Luke McCaffreys Commanders Standing Looks Worse Than Fans Feared
Luke McCaffreys spot in Washington has taken an even shakier turn after the Commanders opened the season with a loss to the Eagles. While rookie Antonio Williams ended up leading the team in receiving yards and finding the end zone late, McCaffrey never dressed for the game, a notable sign for a player once viewed as a developmental piece worth watching.
McCaffrey has slid further down the wide receiver pecking order in his third year, and the lack of a game-day role only adds to the uncertainty around him. With his standing diminished and other receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, the Commanders could eventually have to decide whether to keep waiting on his progress or listen if the right trade offer comes along. [Read more 🡒]