Let’s talk in depth about Commanders 3rd-round draft pick, WR Antionio Williams
The Washington Commanders selected Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, viewing him as a versatile pass-catcher with advanced route-running skills. Though primarily a slot receiver in college, the team believes he can contribute both inside and outside, potentially filling a need for a reliable secondary target alongside Terry McLaurin. Williams impressed with his ability to win against man coverage and his high catch rate, despite limited size. The pick reflects the Commanders' focus on adding playmakers who can thrive in a new offensive scheme under coordinator David Blough.
- ▪Antonio Williams was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round (71st overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- ▪He played primarily in the slot at Clemson but showed capability and success when lined up outside, particularly during the 2024 season.
- ▪Williams recorded a 70.4% catch rate against man coverage in his final college season with zero drops, ranking in the 88th percentile in that category.
- ▪Commanders GM Adam Peters highlighted Williams’ advanced route-running understanding as a key differentiator, noting it's a trait typically developed in the NFL.
- ▪The Commanders' new offensive scheme, influenced by the 2023 Detroit Lions, may feature 'choice routes' where Williams could emulate a role similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/let-talk-depth-commanders-3rd-154153581.html","headline":"Let’s talk in depth about Commanders 3rd-round draft pick, WR Antionio Williams","datePublished":"2026-04-28T15:41:53.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-28T15:41:53.000Z","keywords":["Antonio Williams","Commanders","Washington Commanders","Quinnen Williams","The Commanders","NFL Draft","Kaytron Allen","Dyami Brown","NFL","Jayden Daniels","Keenan Allen","David Blough","Adrian Peterson","Amon-Ra St.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Yahoo Sports.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Yahoo Sports
