Antonio Williams — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Williams made an immediate impact as a freshman at Clemson with 56 catches for 612 yards and four touchdowns, only to have his sophomore season derailed by injuries that limited him to five games and 22 catches for 224 yards and two scores. He rebounded emphatically in 2024, posting 75 receptions for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding seven carries for 101 yards and a score. Last season started poorly. A hamstring issue kept him off the stat sheet over his first three games, but Williams caught five or more passes in eight of his final nine starts, highlighted by a 10/142/1 performance, before a shoulder injury ended his year in late December.

He fits a clear need for NFL teams searching for a quality slot option, and his draft value reflects it. Williams attacks releases with early quickness and acceleration that create immediate separation, and he has the lateral agility in his routes to shake defenders in coverage. His 4.41 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine confirmed his speed, but his strength profile raises some questions about how he'll handle physical press coverage at the next level.

Defenses that can jam him at the line will look to do exactly that. When Williams does get clean releases, the results can be explosive. With the ball in his hands, he's a threat to make the first defender miss with a shimmy or a quick change of direction. Offenses will want to get him the ball in space near the line of scrimmage to maximize his run-after-catch ability. His 2024 tape also showed a more complete picture. Williams made plays at the intermediate and deep levels, suggesting a skill set that extends well beyond the underneath game.