Adam Peters had a more relaxed Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The pressure was on to hit in the first round, and the general manager delivered by bringing linebacker Sonny Styles to the Washington Commanders. That was key, especially considering he wasn't going to pick again until No. 71.
Peters doesn't have a second-round selection or a fourth-rounder this year. They were sent to the Houston Texans in the Laremy Tunsil trade. That proved to be an absolute masterstroke, but it did leave the Commanders with almost no margin for error.
Fortunately, Peters is off to a good start. Styles was first, and after a long wait, the Commanders took Antonio Williams with the No. 71 overall selection. This creates significant intrigue, and one Clemson expert delved a little deeper into what the gifted prospect could bring to Washington in the short- and long-term.
Commanders could have a hidden gem, high-floor prospect in Antonio Williams
Zach Lentz of Rubbing the Rock thought the Commanders were getting high value with Williams at this stage of the process. In particular, the expert identified that his smooth route-running and special-teams prowess make this a high-floor pick for Washington.
"Williams established himself as a polished, "slot-only" technician known for precise route running and reliable separation metrics. His special teams experience and consistent production make him a high-floor prospect likely to carve out an immediate role as a depth receiver and returner."
This is typically the stage of the draft when you're betting on upside. Williams has some encouraging college production to build on, despite his down year with the Tigers in 2025. Still, establishing greater consistency will be key to unlocking his true potential.
Lentz gave a fair assessment. The Commanders conducted their own due diligence and were suitably impressed. As with Styles, they needed a bit of luck for Williams to get this far down the pecking order, given he was a projected first-rounder before the season. When they got it, it became another gift the front-office leader wisely did not pass up.
Washington is giving Williams a shot. He's got the attributes to be a massive asset to Jayden Daniels if he can pick things up quickly over the summer. The competition for places in the wide receiver room is fierce, but the Commanders see something in his potential that could make him a lively candidate to gain prominent reps immediately.
Time will tell on that one, but Williams' background and scope for further growth give him a fighting chance.
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