Commanders Rookie Receiver "Absolutely Jumped Out" to Dan Quinn

The bulk of the conversation for the Washington Commanders has remained centered around the wide receiver room with rumors and speculation swirling about veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs being interested in signing with one of the hometown teams.

Head coach Dan Quinn avoided answering whether the Commanders would be interested in the local product during his radio interview on 105.7, but it did give him a chance to point back to the current room of wide receivers preparing for the 2026 season.

That includes former Clemson and rookie Antonio Williams, who Quinn admitted is "one that has absolutely jumped out" with rookie minicamp officially wrapped up.

"As a route runner, he can stop, he can change directions, explosives," Quinn said of Williams.

Quinn also pushed back on the need for Washington to add a towering wide receiver while noting, "it's not just a height, weight, speed thing" with a chance for Williams to start at the slot while capable of lining up outside as general manager Adam Peters noted after the day two selection.

"This guy's got real natural feel as a receiver, I think that can be a hard thing to measure, but when you see it, you know exactly what it looks like and Antonio has it, man, in the biggest way," Quinn added.

It lines up with why the Clemson product has been tabbed to be exactly what the Commanders' offense needs in 2026 where, given the current outlook at the position, Williams has a chance to become an instant impact piece for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Williams also proved to be a key draft pick after Washington turned to linebacker Sonny Styles, who Quinn said is "an ideal fit for how we want to play," in the first round. How impactful the Clemson product is - and how vital he is for the passing attack - remains contingent on any other roster moves that could materialize over the next three months as teams round out their rosters. Washington will get its next look at the receiver room during OTAs, set to officially begin next weekend, as head coach Dan Quinn puts the pieces together amid a pair of first-year coordinators in David Blough and Daronte Jones.

During his four seasons with the Tigers, Williams amassed 21 receiving touchdowns and a pair of rushing while amassing over 2,800 all-purpose yards.

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