New wide receiver Antonio Williams talks about being drafted by the Washington Commanders while general manager Adam Peters details what stuck out and how he fits into the room in 2026.
After all the questions about the need to address the wide receiver room this offseason, the Washington Commanders did exactly that on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft after turning to a player they did extensive homework on.
Former Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams served as Washington's lone selection on day two of the draft, adding to the top of the receiver room where he's "ecstatic" to join veteran Terry McLaurin as weapons at quarterback Jayden Daniels disposal.
"In my mind this is one of my places that I really wanted to go and I can't wait to meet him," Williams told reporters after being drafted.
The 5-foot-11.5, 187 pound receiver was among the prospects to meet the Commanders on a top-30 visit while assistant general manager Lance Newmark met with Clemson's coaching staff as part of the evaluation process.
"They spoke extremely highly of him. Dustin Regan, our area scout, really swears by him," general manager Adam Peters said of Williams.
After arriving at Clemson as a former four-star prospect out of Dutch Fork, SC, Williams proved to be a consistent weapon for the Tigers after registering at least 50 catches in each of the three full seasons he played after injuries limited him to five games in 2023. Williams takes pride in finishing with just one drop in 2025 while challenging reporters to double check the eight reported drops in 2024
Peters noted Williams can step in as either the 'Z' receiver or slot while pointing to his "really good releases," though he also pointed to his football IQ as an impressive trait in the evaluation process.
"High, high FBI, can multi-align, understands the game, understands zone, understands man, understands how to win and he's super competitive," Peter said after Williams noted he likes to "get mismatches versus safeties."
Williams pointed to the "good weather, good vibes, good people" he encountered during his visit to Washington, yet the pairing with quarterback Jayden Daniels was something that excited him about the prospect of suiting up for the Commanders.
"I think in my mind this is one my places that I really wanted to go and I can't wait to meet him," Williams said. "I already got a lot of respect for him, just the way he represents himself through the media and off the field. So, I like him a lot.”
Williams becomes the latest addition to the wide receiver room after the Commanders signed both Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson in free agency, along with re-signing Treylon Burks for a second season with the Commanders.