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Terry McLaurin was once a third-round gem for the Commanders.
Washington got him 76th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he's grown into one of the league's best wide receivers.
The hope is that Antonio Williams, drafted out of Clemson, also a third-rounder, can turn out similarly.
The Commanders had to go just a bit higher for Williams, 71st overall, and it could turn out to be a crucial pick.
The first reality is that it's practical. McLaurin is a bit older than you'd think, 31, and doesn't have a rising talent alongside him. Williams can be that guy.
The other truth is that if Williams had been in the draft a year earlier, he would've been picked higher.
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Most of that has nothing to do with Williams. During the 2025 college football season, he was injured almost immediately and struggled to return to full health. Meanwhile, the entire Clemson season was a struggle, which made life tougher on QB Cade Klubnik and through that, tougher on Williams.
He's not a perfect wide receiver, and he isn't huge at just 5-foot-11, but he was also a consistent playmaker for one of the country's top programs in 2024. His 2025 season didn't provide proof of skill regression. It just wasn't his best year.
The Commanders have enough depth to not overly rush Williams, but it's also a nice situation where he'll play when he proves he's ready.
Washington will be hoping it has repeated its McLaurin history with Williams. Quarterback Jayden Daniels sure would be happy if that was the case.
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