Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters should be patting himself on the back after what appears to be a successful free agency period and a successful 2026 NFL Draft.
Peters had just six picks to work with in this year’s draft, and he, along with Dan Quinn and their entire team, really put in the work during this draft season. They evaluated, assessed, hosted players for visits, attended Pro Days and the NFL Combine, and they ultimately had a fantastic plan entering Day 1. On Day 2, Peters surprised many by drafting Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams.
It is thought that if Carnell Tate had been available at No. 7, he would have been the pick for the Commanders. But Tate was swooped up by the Tennessee Titans at No. 4, and the Commanders were not upset to land Tate’s teammate, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Still, they needed a wide receiver, which is how they landed on Williams in the third round. Despite being a third-round pick, Williams is already slated to line up across from Terry McLaurin, and it’s possible he proves to be the exact piece the Commanders were looking for.
Matt Harmon, creator of Reception Perception (wide receiver analysis), spoke with 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., this week about Williams.
Antonio Williams showcases incredible skill against man coverage, consistently creating separation on deep routes. Matt Harmon views this as something that was needed badly for the Commanders. pic.twitter.com/VcR3DGpHbt
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) May 4, 2026
“One of the key things that stands out with Williams, and Adam Peters actually mentioned this in his post-draft presser, I think you saw a real ability for Antonio Williams to beat man coverage, to separate at all three levels, particularly on downfield routes. Some of these guys have failed to translate in this smaller receiver archetype. They haven’t necessarily been the guys that are reliable separators against man coverage downfield. They can eventually crack open that hole in zone, but Williams is a guy who really shows the ability to snap off routes against man coverage in the intermediate and deeper areas, which I think is a pretty good proof-of-concept. Plus, 5’11 and just under 190 pounds, he shows a real willingness to mix it up and get dirty in the blocking game.”
Harmon is an incredibly reliable resource and someone who absolutely knows what he’s talking about. Reception Perception has been around since 2014, with player bios and analysis that’s now expanded to include tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks. He digs in and analyzes how players perform outside the box score, and with his plethora of knowledge and years of experience, it’s pretty safe to say he knows what he’s talking about.
Some questioned Peters’ choice of Williams in the third round, specifically over some of the other receivers available. At the 2026 NFL combine, his stock improved, but not markedly. But, as with some of their other draft selections, Peters likely saw something in Williams’ game that made him believe he could be the guy they need. Of course, most everyone is waiting on the Brandon Aiyuk situation to be over as well, but Peters couldn’t rely on landing him, considering he’s still under contract with another team.
Williams is going to surprise people in 2026. He may not be a superstar with elite speed, but if he can run his routes, make adjustments mid-game, and actually catch the passes that are thrown his way, and show off his after-the-catch ability, he will be well on his way to taking the pressure off Terry McLaurin — with or without Aiyuk.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Analyst believes Antonio Williams is a steal