In a move that's raising eyebrows across the NFL, the Washington Commanders have traded away draft picks originally acquired for Laremy Tunsil—and critics are calling the return "a bunch of old guys." The decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, but there's a silver lining in the team's latest draft class that deserves attention.
Enter Antonio Williams, a mid-round pick who's drawing comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Like St. Brown, Williams entered the league without elite athletic measurables but with a polished game built on craft, separation, and reliability. His PFF receiving grades tell the story: 70-plus against man, zone, at every level, in pressure situations, and in blitz situations. The production dip in 2025 wasn't his fault—it was the offense around him falling apart. That's a crucial distinction when projecting what he can do alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels and star wideout Terry McLaurin.
Washington needed a third-down option who could win from the slot, create separation against nickel defenders, and give Daniels a reliable check-down on short and intermediate routes. Williams checks all three boxes—and he might end up being the best value in the entire Commanders draft class.
Don't box him in as just a slot receiver, either. As Chris Russell noted on Team 980, Williams can "win" anywhere on the field. The Commanders are betting on separation over pure size, especially in critical third-down and red-zone situations.
Watch Williams run routes, and you see why PFF gave his route running an 8/10 and his change-of-direction flexibility a 9/10. It's not just one move that beats defenders—it's the sequencing. He uses tempo shifts through the stem to manipulate defensive backs before the break, drops his weight cleanly, and accelerates out of cuts to create separation before the ball even leaves the quarterback's hand. Off-coverage corners get torched by his short-area quickness. Press corners get beaten by his release package and initial burst off the line.
On crossing routes and slants, he's fearless. The Duke tape from 2025 says it all: 10 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns, absorbing contact over the middle without flinching, turning post-catch yards into momentum every time. He tracks deep balls and adjusts his frame mid-air to make grabs look effortless.
While the Tunsil trade may have brought in veteran talent, Williams represents the kind of young, dynamic weapon that could define Washington's offense for years to come. For a team looking to build around Daniels and McLaurin, that's a win worth celebrating.