It didn't take long for hype to soar around Antoinio Williams after the Washington Commanders selected the wide receiver at No. 71 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans and experts are expecting big things right away, but one league insider had another question that everyone seems to have overlooked.
Williams may have waited longer than expected to hear his name called, but this looks like a great fit in Washington. He gets the chance to learn from Terry McLaurin and catch passes from quarterback Jayden Daniels. With David Blough's offense demanding players who can separate quickly, it's easy to see why he piqued the Commanders' interest.
Optimism is high, regardless of whether another productive receiver comes into the fold between now and Week 1. Though Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes a decent rookie season could be in the offing, he also revealed why so many teams passed on the wideout before the Commanders ended his slide.
NFL insider outlined concerns over Commanders rookie Antonio Williams' ceiling
Breer acknowledged that Williams' talent was never in question. The concerns reportedly centered on his ceiling, but the insider wouldn't be surprised to see the first-year pro become productive in the environment Washington is providing.
"The question with [Antonio] Williams was never whether he could play. The third-round pick proved over and over again at Clemson that he can be a productive, tough and crafty player whose game should translate quickly into a good NFL slot receiver.
"The bigger issue with him is his ceiling. But in Washington, there’s already a tried-and-true No. 1, Terry McLaurin. So Williams should be able to slide into David Blough’s offense relatively seamlessly, and 50-or-so catches this year wouldn’t shock me."
Williams had a first-round projection before the 2025 season. Several issues resulted in him being overlooked, but the Commanders believe they have a steal.
His sudden route cuts, dependable hands, and ability to turn following the catch in pursuit of extra yardage are all positive traits to build upon. Now, Williams gets the chance to silence the doubters that surfaced during the pre-draft process.
Obviously, rookie hype is pretty commonplace at this time of year. Fans are excited about their draft picks. They often flash without pads. Some continue this trend when things get serious, while others need a little bit more time to fulfill their potential.
Where Williams lands remains to be seen.
There will be growing pains; there always is. What's important for the Clemson product is overcoming these difficulties, growing all the time, and taking everything as a learning experience in the regular-season pressure cooker.
After that, his talent should shine through. And the Commanders are counting on it.
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