Commanders’ Antonio Williams named one of five underrated rookies

The Washington Commanders had only six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, so Adam Peters and those in the draft room needed a clear plan and strategy. They were thrilled when linebacker Sonny Styles was available at No. 7, and didn’t hesitate to make him one of their own. Given the state of the defense in 2025, it was a solid choice.

They didn’t have a second-round pick or a fourth-round pick, so their third-round pick also had to be strategically chosen. Some were surprised by the Commanders’ selection of Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams, but now that the dust has settled, many of those views are changing.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid named Williams one of five underrated rookies in 2026.

Outside of Terry McLaurin, the Commanders don’t have a dependable threat in their receiving corps. That should leave Williams with a lot of opportunities in the team’s new look under offensive coordinator David Blough. He will likely play mostly in the slot, where his route running and shifty playmaking ability can shine.

Williams is one of those players who continues to make defenders guess. He’s shifty, adjusts his tempo, uses fakes, and generally keeps defenses on their toes. He has an uncanny ability to make guys miss and gain yards after the catch, which more than makes up for his lack of top-end speed.

A versatile player, Williams can run, throw, catch, and return punts. We will undoubtedly see him on special teams in 2026, and he definitely has the potential to surprise everyone with his abilities. He will need some development and some honing of the efficiency of his routes, but the Commanders shouldn’t force him into a box with it. He’s very good at anticipating where he needs to be, and while efficient routes absolutely matter, sometimes you need a cowboy.

New offensive coordinator David Blough sees big things for Williams, and head coach Dan Quinn has already praised the rookie. If Blough runs an offense similar to Ben Johnson’s, the slot receiver could be a target monster, which could bode well for Williams.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams one of five underrated rookies

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