The Washington Commanders have spent years trying to replicate the magic of their 2019 third-round pick, Terry McLaurin. For seven seasons, the "Scary Terry" selection has been the gold standard for mid-round receiver success -- a player who walked in from Ohio State and immediately looked like a No. 1, then spent the next half-decade proving that first impression was no fluke.
Now, with the 2026 NFL Draft behind them, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn may have found their next third-round wideout with a similar blueprint. Clemson's Antonio Williams, selected with the team's third-round pick, arrives in Ashburn with a profile that echoes McLaurin's in more ways than one. And if the early returns from rookie minicamp are any indication, Washington might have another Day 2 steal on its hands.
The Clemson Tape
Williams isn't a perfect physical replica of McLaurin. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, he's a bit smaller than the 6-foot, 210-pound veteran, and he lacks McLaurin's elite 4.35 speed. But what Williams does possess is a complete route tree, exceptional change-of-direction ability, and a knack for winning contested catches that belies his frame.
At Clemson, Williams was a consistent producer in an offense that, to put it charitably, didn't always maximize its passing weapons. He posted back-to-back seasons with over 800 yards and finished his Tigers career with 14 touchdowns. The tape shows a player who can win from the slot or the boundary, runs crisp option routes, and has the kind of competitive toughness that makes him a reliable third-down target.
Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough has a specific vision for Williams: move him around the formation, get him the ball in space, and trust him to make the first defender miss. In that sense, Williams profiles less as a direct McLaurin clone and more as the sort of versatile weapon the team has lacked opposite their All-Pro captain.
Following in McLaurin's Footsteps
The McLaurin comparison isn't just about draft position. When McLaurin arrived in 2019, Washington had just selected Dwayne Haskins in the first round, and expectations for a third-round rookie receiver were modest. McLaurin shattered those expectations with 919 yards and seven touchdowns, often making highlight-reel catches despite inconsistent quarterback play.
Williams enters a far more favorable situation. Jayden Daniels is a rising star under center, and the Commanders' offense is built on quick passing, play-action, and vertical shots -- all areas where Williams' skill set should translate immediately. The team's receiving corps features McLaurin as the unquestioned No. 1, followed by a mix of veterans like Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson, and Dyami Brown, plus promising second-year player Luke McCaffrey.
That depth chart gives Williams time to develop, but it also creates a clear path to playing time. Brown and Jefferson are on one-year deals, Burks has yet to fully realize his first-round potential, and McCaffrey is still finding his NFL footing. A sharp, consistent, and versatile rookie who can play inside and outside could carve out 40-50 targets in this offense by midseason.
What the Scouts Are Saying
NFL draft analysts praised Williams' football IQ and route-running nuance coming out of Clemson. His ability to read zone coverage and find soft spots is advanced for a college player, and his hands are reliable -- posting a drop rate under 5 percent in each of his final two seasons.
The question marks center on his top-end speed and whether he can consistently separate against NFL press coverage. At the combine, Williams ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, which is adequate but not elite. However, his 6.7-second three-cone drill was among the best for receivers in this class, suggesting he has the short-area quickness to create separation underneath -- exactly what Daniels needs in a timing-based offense.
The wide receivers coach in Washington, known for developing late-round and undrafted talent, has welcomed Williams into a building that believes strongly in player development, especially at receiver.
Roster Fit and Competition
Looking at the current Commanders roster, the receiver room is deeper than it's been in years. McLaurin is the established star. Ja'Corey Brooks, Jacoby Jones, Jaylin Lane, and Nick Nash round out a young group that also includes Jaden Bradley and Chris Hilton Jr. The team also fields tight ends John Bates, Lawrence Cager, Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott, and Colson Yankoff who factor into the passing game.
Williams isn't walking into a guaranteed starting role. He'll have to earn snaps over a crowded room. But the Commanders invested a third-round pick in him, signaling the coaching staff expects him to see the field. If he shows the same professionalism and polish as McLaurin did as a rookie -- and early reports from team insiders suggest he's off to a strong start -- he will force his way into the rotation.
The Bigger Picture
Washington's front office, led by Adam Peters, has shown a clear philosophy: build through the draft, target high-character players with production, and develop young talent rather than overspend in free agency. The Williams selection fits that mold. He's not the flashiest name in the class, but he's the kind of player who improves the more you watch him.
For a team that finished last season with playoff aspirations and a quarterback on a rookie deal, hitting on mid-round picks is essential. The Commanders won't be able to pay everyone once Daniels' extension looms. Finding contributors like Williams -- who can start for three or four years at a reasonable cost -- is how sustainable contenders are built.
Final Verdict
Antonio Williams won't walk into Week 1 as a starter. He probably won't lead all rookies in receiving. But the path to a productive 2026 season is there. If he stays healthy, wins the slot role by midseason, and builds chemistry with Daniels, a stat line of 35 catches, 450 yards, and 3-4 touchdowns is within reach. In the grand scheme, those numbers would represent a home run for a third-round pick.
More importantly, Williams represents something the Commanders haven't had in years: a legitimate succession plan at receiver. McLaurin is still the man, but he's entering his eighth season. Having a young, cost-controlled, and capable No. 2 or No. 3 option waiting in the wings is exactly how good organizations avoid the desperation of free agency or the draft.
Can Antonio Williams follow in Terry McLaurin's footsteps? The blueprint is there, the coaching staff believes it, and if early practice reports are any guide, Commanders fans should be excited about what this rookie brings to the table.
Don't be surprised if, by November, Williams is making highlight-reel catches on third down and Washington's front office is looking very smart for their third-round investment.
