Winner No. 4
Antonio Williams - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders are trying to keep Antonio Williams a secret of sorts until the regular season arrives, but Dan Quinn also wanted to get some important reps into the third-round wide receiver to further help with his transition.
Williams displayed his route sharpness and dependability against the Detroit Lions. The former Clemson playmaker looked sharp, bringing in all three of his targets for 41 receiving yards, including a long of 21.
There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead. Even so, this showing raised confidence around Williams' chances of making a significant contribution in Year 1 of his professional career.
The Commanders have Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, who will operate as their primary wideout tandem. They should be highly productive, and having two Pro Bowl-caliber performers will only increase the space for Williams as he looks to make an impact whenever his number is called.
Loser No. 3
Robert Henry Jr. - Commanders RB
A lot can change in a week...
Undrafted rookie running back Robert Henry Jr. was the toast of Washington after a starring effort in his preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, his second outing at Ford Field did not go nearly as well.
Henry struggled to get anything going on the ground. The Commanders' run blocking was subpar, which didn't help, but it was disappointing nonetheless.
The UTSA product gained just minus-three yards on four carries, which was not the sort of influence fans were expecting. Henry brought in his only reception for five receiving yards but fumbled a kickoff return that resulted in a turnover.
These are the highs and lows that come in the NFL. Henry was a star one week and disappointing the next. And at a time when the fine margins really matter, he cannot lose any more momentum in the next week before his fate is decided.
Winner No. 5
Athan Kaliakmanis - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels came out of the game quickly as expected. After that, seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman split the reps. And once again, there was a clear distance in production between the two.
Kaliakmanis is ahead of Hartman, which is putting it mildly. His comfort level in the pocket is a big surprise, and he goes through his progressions well. The signal-caller has a live arm and makes sound decisions. And there is enough athleticism to escape when things aren't developing downfield.
The Commanders would be wise to take through three quarterbacks, especially after the injuries to Daniels and Marcus Mariota this time around. Kaliakmanis is the frontrunner, and he's earned it as a development project who could be capable of filling the QB2 responsibilities with a little extra development.
Washington didn't win, but seeing the first-year quarterback complete 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards and a 114.9 passer rating represented another impressive day at the office for Kaliakmanis.
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