Antonio Williams

The Player

Williams is an average-sized Z flanker/slot receiver with very good top-end speed and a strong burst/explosion profile, as evidenced by his 1.55-second 10-yard split and 39.5-inch vertical jump at the combine. He has a smaller catch radius, but he’s a highly skilled route runner with reliable hands and some YAC juice.

Williams was a four-year player at Clemson who made an immediate impact as a freshman (2022), battled through an injury-affected sophomore season (2023), and then led the team in receptions his final two years (2024-25). He finished his college career with 208 receptions for 2,336 yards (11.2 yards per catch) and 21 touchdown catches. He also had some success as an occasional punt returner at Clemson. He’s an outstanding route runner on all three levels, winning with a combination of initial burst, tempoing, and acceleration out of breaks. His ability to drop his weight and get in and out of breaks is a thing of beauty.

Williams’s 2.21 yards per route run over the past two seasons would be very good in any draft class and put him near the top of the 2026 class. His production dipped last season compared to 2024, but he improved in two areas: First, he developed a graduate-level feel versus zone coverage. Second, he exhibited much more aggressiveness after the catch. He’s always had good acceleration and suddenness, but he showed greater urgency and confidence. He forced 14 missed tackles in 2024 and averaged 5.3 YAC for his career.

Williams has very good ball skills. He improved his drop rate last season to 1.8 percent (down from 9.6 percent in 2024). On tape, he consistently shows an ability to pluck the ball on the run as well as track it and adjust. He doesn’t have the biggest catch radius, but his ability to adjust helps mitigate that concern. He shows no fear in doing the dirty work over the middle of the field.  

While he has the speed to threaten downfield, he’s not a high-end vertical weapon. He will occasionally get over the top and/or exploit a secondary breakdown, but he’ll be more effective after the catch. He gives good effort as a blocker and helped spring open some long runs for his teammate Adam Randall. Granted, he’s undersized and isn’t going to excel in this area, but he puts in the effort.

The Draft

Williams is in a competitive bucket of early–Round 2 wide receivers, but it’ll be shocking if he’s still on the board by pick 51.  

The Projection

Williams projects as a WR3 slot receiver as a rookie, with Z flanker flexibility in the future. His game and athletic profile are similar to Ladd McConkey’s. Williams will thrive in a high-target slot role where there are YAC opportunities and chances for him to convert third downs.