The Washington Commanders’ latest “unofficial” depth chart gave Treylon Burks the early edge at WR3, but Antonio Williams doesn’t look like the kind of receiver who disappears just because he’s listed second.
Washington released another depth chart Tuesday, and Burks was placed ahead of the rookie despite what Williams showed throughout camp and the preseason. On paper, that points to Burks holding the inside track entering Week 1. In practice, it feels more like the start of a competition than the end of one.
Burks has done enough to make his case. A healthy version of him showed enough in camp to lock down a spot on the initial 53-man roster and put himself in line for a real role. He also brings more experience and a different body type than Williams, which matters on a roster that could use more size.
Still, Williams has a set of traits that are hard to keep off the field. He consistently created separation during camp and preseason, and he can line up inside or outside. His most noticeable strengths this summer were his dependable hands and his sharp route quickness.
That contrast is what makes this situation so interesting. Burks gives Washington more size and more punch on contested catches.
Williams brings the cleaner separation, the quicker cuts and the ability to move around the formation. Those are different tools, and they may end up being used in different situations.
Because of that, the real answer may not come from the depth chart at all. The snap counts will matter more.
So will the usage in three-receiver sets. The key questions are simple: who is on the field in the slot, and who is trusted on third downs?
Those answers will show whether Burks keeps the WR3 job or whether Williams spends the early part of the season pushing his way into it.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Added Receiver Depth That Could Matter Faster Than Expected
The Commanders added another layer to their receiver room by signing Van Jefferson Jr. to the practice squad as they turn the page into Week 1 prep. Jefferson had turned in a solid training camp, but he was the odd man out when Washington finalized its 53-man roster, with Luke McCaffrey getting the nod instead.
Even so, Jefferson never felt far from the picture, and this move gives Washington a familiar contingency if the position group gets hit by injuries or simply needs more production. For a roster still sorting out its early-season depth, it is the kind of addition that could matter sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Just Made Jaden Bradleys Early Path A Lot Tougher
The Commanders added another experienced receiver to the practice squad in Van Jefferson Jr., a move that gives Washington more depth behind its top pass catchers and subtly raises the bar for everyone else in the receiver room. For a young player like undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley, who also landed on the practice squad, it means the margin for earning attention just got a little slimmer even before the season settles into its rhythm.
Bradley still has something working in his favor: Washington views him as more than just camp depth and likes the work ethic that helped him hang around. The challenge now is turning that developmental spot into a real path forward, especially with veteran competition in the building and the practice squad becoming a proving ground rather than a placeholder. [Read more 🡒]
Treylon Burks Just Got The Commanders Opportunity He Needed
Treylon Burks entered the week with a clean slate in Washington, and the Commanders made the message even clearer when they released their Week 1 depth chart for the opener against the Eagles. Burks was listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, a notable sign for a player who arrived on a one-year deal and is looking for a fresh start after a difficult run with the Tennessee Titans.
The opportunity goes beyond a spot on the first depth chart. Under coordinator David Blough, Burks is expected to have a meaningful role in the offense, giving him a chance to show he can still be part of a long-term plan if he makes the most of this opening stretch. For Washington, it is a low-risk way to see whether a former first-round talent can finally find the right fit. [Read more 🡒]