Inside-out?: Where Antonio Williams prefers to play in Washington Commanders offense
Antonio Williams is primarily known as a slot receiver. He ran 78% of his routes from there during his standout Clemson career,per The Ringer,and 93% of themfrom the slot in 2025.
That's, well, a lot.
He'scapable of winning on the outside, too, whichshows upa ton on his tape. Where will the Commanders play their third-roundpick?Most predicthe'llplayalmost exclusivelyinside.
What isWilliams' preference? TheNo. 71 overall NFL draft pickwasasked that questionafter the first Commanders rookie minicamp practice.
I prefer everything,"Williams said in a Fridaypress conference. I feel likethat'swhenI'mat my best. I feel likeI'ma versatile player and I can line up everywhere and run every route. So, I just like being able to go everywhere and I feel like I just have a lot of freedom to do that in this offense."
Williams is a do-it-all guy. He can return punts, as he did during Friday's practice. He canmake things happenrushing the football, too.He'sa savvy receiverfirst and foremost, with the versatility and talent to help the Commanders right away.
Whata fit," head coach Dan Quinn saidinhis Fridaypresser.I would say, first off, with Antonio, because this is a player that can play multiple spots atreceiver.He'sgot experience outside.He'sgot experience playinginside,inthe slot. That type of versatility, that goes a big way and seeing through the last few years, you know, the film from him at Clemson at both spotsdemonstratedroute running ability.We'rereally pumped to have him."
Quarterback Jayden Daniels will be pumped to have him if Williams canconsistently get openlike he did incollege. There will be an adjustment period to NFLcoverage,andhe'llhave to handlepress coverage well against talented veteran defensive backs, butthe talent and drive is there to bea good playerat this level.
Quick separation will be key in that effort.
If you can get open, then a lot more balls will come your way," Williams said. So, playing receiver, I feel like it's my job to make it easier on the quarterback and create some extra space to give him an easier throw.So, I always want to be that guy and for the quarterback and just be his best friend."