Let’s talk about Antonio Williams
May 26, 2026
by Steve Thomas
It’s certainly true that Washington currently has a number of receivers with potential on the roster beyond Terry McLaurin – in no particular order, Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks, Jaylin Lane, or even a long shot like Luke McCaffrey. However, what none of these players are is a solid, reliable #2 receiver behind McLaurin; meaning, a player who can reliably get 50 – 70 catches and at least 700 to 800 yards. None of these receivers have proved themselves to that extent yet. Brown is on a redemption tour, of sorts, but is no guarantee. Burks did fairly well in a limited role but isn’t at a guaranteed starter level. McCaffrey was overdrafted in round 3 two years ago due to his last name and thusfar hasn’t shown himself to be anything other than a low-level possession receiver and special teams asset.
This is the primary reason that Washington spent its third round pick on Antonio Williams. The team was willing to gamble yet another higher-round pick pick in order to fill this need; therefore, the question becomes whether Williams can actually accomplish this goal and provide Washington with someone to supplement McLaurin and perhaps even replace him in a few years. Washington’s offense needs to present a second threat to opposing defenses. The obvious resulting debate is whether Williams can be that player, either immediately or after a couple of years of development. Let’s dive into it.
Williams spend four years at Clemson from 2022 through 2025. In that time, he played in a total of 43 games, and made 208 receptions for 2336 yards, 11.2 yards per reception, and 21 touchdowns, plus an additional 25 carries for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2025, he played in 10 games and made 55 receptions for 604 yards, 11.0 yards per reception, and 4 touchdowns, plus 13 carries for 78 yards and 1 touchdown, and earned Third-team All-ACC honors. His 2024 season was actually significantly better: in that season, he played in 14 games and had 75 receptions for 904 yards, 12.1 yards per reception, and 11 touchdowns, plus 7 carries for 101 yards and 1 touchdown, and earned First-team All-ACC honors. A significant part of his downturn in 2025 was due to a hamstring injury.
At the NFL Combine, he was measured at 5’11” 1/2 and 187 pounds. He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.41 seconds, jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical leap and 10’4” in the standing broad jump, and did 10 bench press reps at 225 pounds.
Heading into the draft, analysts didn’t label Williams as an elite vertical threat at the NFL level, particularly given that his speed is good, but not great. Many projected him as a slot receiver; however, he does have some limited experience lining up on the outside as well. Analysts noted that Williams is skilled at working the middle of the field and finding weak spots in zone coverage. Scouts believe that does well in jump ball situations and has good body control and strength. According to the draft analysts, on the downside Williams has had a few drops and lacks elite speed and burst.
Based on my non-expert observations of his film, the first thing to understand about Williams is that he is, in fact, a slot receiver. At least that’s how he was used at Clemson. He has lined up in various formations, obviously, but on a practical level, Clemson used him mostly in the slot. That doesn’t negate his ability to be a favorite target of Washington’s quarterback, of course; it just means that realistically, the team will need to find someone else to play the outside role. What it means is that the team will probably need to find a starter in the “Z” role, such as either Burks or Brown.
Williams was good with contested catches. He’s a big presence in a crowd and has a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. He’s also fairly physical after the catch. Imagine a guy who can regular get receptions in coverage and then do well with the ball afterwards. Those sorts of skill will be useful in the NFL and when Washington faces defenses that focus on McLaurin. Also, what people who haven’t watched his film may not know is that despite his fairly limited number of carries at Clemson, he does have some talent as carrying the ball, almost always while in motion out of the slot. Williams strikes me as being similar to former Washington player Deebo Samuel in many respects.
His film shows that the draft analysts’ concern about his burst was legitimate. He wasn’t able to consistently separate based on his jump off the line in a way that allowed him to break even from collegiate defensive backs. Williams doesn’t look fast coming off the line. It may be why he was put in the slot in the first place. To me, Williams’ game relies more of vision and toughness than anything else. He likely fits into an NFL offense because of these qualities. Just don’t expect him to be Washington’s deep threat burner, aka Desean Jackson, because that simply isn’t who Williams is.
Williams is a player who is best over the middle, facing a zone and finding holes. I think he can fit in Washington’s receiver room for those reasons. He’s far more experienced than someone like McCaffrey and has a different skillset than does Dyami Brown. To me, the long-term vision is obviously McLaurin in the “X” position, Williams in the slot, and some combination of Brown, Burks, or someone else coming out of left field as the principal “Z” receiver. Williams’ significant collegiate experience and skills should fit well in the NFL. Part of the issue here is obviously that we don’t really know what new offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense is going to look like; that having been said, one thing I expect is more play action, and that’s right up Williams’ alley based on his film from Clemson.
In my view, he isn’t a guarantee to make it as a plus-level receiver in the pros, but he has a better chance than the other non-McLaurin receivers on the roster. What do you think? Let me know in the comment section below.