Antonio Williams, a third-round pick for the Washington Commanders, is already turning heads. CBS Sports recently ranked him No. 7 among rookie receivers, putting him ahead of guys picked much earlier in the 2026 NFL Draft. This kid’s capabilities might just blow his draft position out of the water, and honestly, that’s wild for a third-rounder.
The Commanders’ WR Room Just Got a Major Shakeup
The football world was all wrapped up in whether the Commanders would land big names like Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs this offseason. But guess what? They ended up doing some serious work on their existing group. They re-signed former Tennessee first-round pick Treylon Burks, snagged veteran Van Jefferson, brought back Dyami Brown after he spent a year in Jacksonville, and then, boom, spent a third-round pick on Williams. They also signed tight end Chig Okonkwo in free agency, who is expected to be a major offensive weapon.
It’s a definite upgrade from last season, even without the blockbuster acquisition fans might have wanted. Washington really likes Burks, who impressed in limited snaps last year. He might not hit that former first-round status, but he can totally be a solid NFL receiver if he stays healthy. And getting Brown back is huge too; he played a pivotal role late in 2024. Reuniting him with quarterback Jayden Daniels could unlock his best. Plus, former draft picks Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane showed flashes, with McCaffrey improving before a collarbone injury and Lane excelling as a punt returner.
Antonio Williams: The Guy Who Could Change Everything
Here’s the real kicker though: it’s Williams who has the Commanders buzzing the most. This rookie out of Clemson can play both inside and outside, but offensive coordinator David Blough sees him primarily in the slot, kind of like Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit, given they will run a similar offense. And yeah, while we’re not comparing him to St. Brown directly, the buzz is he could be in line for the second-most targets on the team, right behind Terry McLaurin.
Most of the six players picked before Williams in the CBS Sports ranking went in the first round, and all were top 40 picks. That makes Williams, a third-rounder, an absolute steal. GM Adam Peters isn’t waiting around, he believes Williams can hit the ground running. CBS Sports’ fantasy football experts are projecting 48 receptions for 678 yards and four touchdowns. With the Commanders’ depth chart wide open for him alongside McLaurin, and others like Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Treylon Burks competing for targets, Williams is primed to make a huge impact in the short to intermediate areas.
If everything goes the Commanders’ way this year, with a healthy Jayden Daniels and McLaurin, plus the arrival of Okonkwo and Williams, combined with the improvements from everyone already there, this offense could be way better than anyone expects in 2026. They could still grab someone like Diggs, but don’t be shocked if they stand pat. It’s time to get hyped about what this rookie can do on the field for Washington.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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