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PFF Tabs Antonio Williams as Must-Watch WR in 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Lentz | Last updated May 7, 2025 4:48 PM ET

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson’s wide receiver room is packed with talent, and Antonio Williams continues to lead the charge—not just on the field, but now on NFL Draft boards, too.

Williams, a 2024 first-team All-ACC selection, has been named one of the top wide receivers to watch for the 2026 NFL Draft by Pro Football Focus. In a recent piece by draft analyst Max Chadwick, Williams was listed among the 10 wideouts to know as summer scouting heats up.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound pass catcher is coming off his best season yet, hauling in 75 receptions for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns—all career highs—across 14 starts in 2024. Those 11 scores tied him for third among Power Four receivers in touchdown catches.

“Williams had a nose for the end zone last year,” Chadwick wrote. “He’s an elite route runner, placing in the 94th percentile in separation rate against single coverage and catching 58% of his contested targets. He’ll need to add a bit more dynamism after the catch, but his first-round upside is clear.”

His consistency, polished route running, and football IQ make him a dream fit for NFL offenses, particularly those with quick-strike passing schemes. That’s likely why ESPN’s Todd McShay recently projected Williams as a late first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in his 2026 mock draft.

Williams was also listed No. 65 on CBS Sports’ preseason ranking of the top 150 players in college football for 2025 and was praised as one of the top players to spurn the 2025 NFL Draft in favor of returning for another year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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