It's been hard to ignore the hype around rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams since he achieved his lifelong dream of being an NFL pro. One analyst took it to an entirely different level.
The Washington Commanders ended Williams' slide at No. 71 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was projected as a top-15 pick before his final college campaign at Clemson, but the team's drop-off and his injury problems meant general manager Adam Peters was able to grab him much later than anticipated.
Williams has a shot to earn prominent involvement in Washington. The concerns are glaring around the receiver options outside of Terry McLaurin. If no further additions are made, he could be the second or third option from the moment he steps onto an NFL field in the regular season.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak sends hype soaring around Commanders rookie Antonio Williams
Ben Solak of ESPN is especially bullish. He boldly predicted that Williams will win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2026. That's a high bar for which to aim, but it's a testament to how highly he thinks of the smooth route runner with dynamic after-the-catch capabilities.
"If the Commanders suddenly need to funnel six-plus targets per game his way, he has the deep tool kit and reliable play style to sustain that volume. There are few middle-round rookies for whom I have rosier Year 1 projections than Williams."
This would be extraordinary if Williams could pull it off. It would also significantly improve the Commanders' chances of becoming a force under new offensive coordinator David Blough.
Of course, there is the looming threat of Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs possibly joining the Commanders at some stage. But even if Washington does acquire another dependable veteran to help, it may not impact the envisaged role for Williams all that much.
Though Williams has inside-out versatility, he specializes in the slot. This is where he can create separation effortlessly, providing a useful outlet in the short- to intermediate-range of the field. And when he gets the chance to make plays downfield, he can do that as well.
Williams has a massive opportunity in front of him. Waiting so long to hear his name called was no doubt painful, but everything worked out well in the end. This was the best possible spot to earn immediate playing time and thrive with a franchise-caliber quarterback in Jayden Daniels. If he does, who knows where that will take him.
Standing above every offensive rookie will be a tall order. It might not happen, but don't count Williams out completely.
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