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Wide receiver is a position that the New Orleans Saints seem to be doing their diligence on as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. One of the prospects they've met with during the pre-draft process is Antonio Williams, the Clemson Tigers wideout. He is one of several receivers the Saints could be interested in during the early rounds of the draft later this month.
New Orleans will be signing Chris Olave to a contract extension this year, but needs more weaponry at the position. Devaughn Vele and Ja'Lynn Polk should be factors, but an early round pick is expected to join them. Williams is among several prospects that could be in play within the first three rounds.
At Dutch Fork High School in South Carolina, Williams was selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-American game before keeping his talents with the in-state Clemson Tigers, where he'd see action right away. As a freshman in 2022, he'd catch 56 passes for 604 yards to lead the Tigers in both categories. Injuries limited Williams to only five games in 2023, but he'd still produce 22 catches and 224 yards.
Williams bounced back with a strong year in 2024. His 75 receptions and 904 yards led the team, while his 11 touchdown catches were tops in the ACC and helped him win 1st Team All-ACC honors. Williams was once again hampered by injuries in his last season, allowing him to play in 10 of 13 contests. He still had 604 receiving yards and 4 scores on a team-best 55 receptions, enough to earn him 3rd Team All-ACC honors.
New Orleans was one of several teams to show interest in Antonio Williams during the pre-draft process. While somewhat quietly effective, he's projected to be a Day 2 pick and could go as early as the second round. If he stays healthy and shows he can handle an expanded route tree, Williams has the upside to be a better pro receiver than he was as a collegiate player.
Antonio Williams isn't the most popular name in the 2026 receiver class. However, he has shown the skills that the Saints desperately need in their receiving corps -- a player who can be effective through the intermediate levels and can do so from both outside or the slot. Those attributes might be enough to draft Williams among the second day of picks if they don't draft a wideout with their first round selection.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Clemson Tigers WR Antonio Williams scouting report
Continue reading...
New Orleans will be signing Chris Olave to a contract extension this year, but needs more weaponry at the position. Devaughn Vele and Ja'Lynn Polk should be factors, but an early round pick is expected to join them. Williams is among several prospects that could be in play within the first three rounds.
Antonio Williams bio
- Position: Wide receiver
- College: Clemson Tigers
- Height: 5-feet, 11 inches
- Weight: 187 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.55 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 7 seconds
- Vertical jump: 39.5"
- Broad jump: 10'4"
At Dutch Fork High School in South Carolina, Williams was selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-American game before keeping his talents with the in-state Clemson Tigers, where he'd see action right away. As a freshman in 2022, he'd catch 56 passes for 604 yards to lead the Tigers in both categories. Injuries limited Williams to only five games in 2023, but he'd still produce 22 catches and 224 yards.
Williams bounced back with a strong year in 2024. His 75 receptions and 904 yards led the team, while his 11 touchdown catches were tops in the ACC and helped him win 1st Team All-ACC honors. Williams was once again hampered by injuries in his last season, allowing him to play in 10 of 13 contests. He still had 604 receiving yards and 4 scores on a team-best 55 receptions, enough to earn him 3rd Team All-ACC honors.
Strengths
- Consistently productive despite erratic quarterback play
- Natural feel for different coverages
- Works through zones and middle of the field like an experienced pro
- Possesses a variety of fakes to get rapid separation
- Fluid breaks at the top of route
- Secures the catch quickly in traffic
- Elusive as a runner in the open field
- Offers some value as a kick returner
Weaknesses
- Injury issues in 2 of last 3 years
- Can get hung up at the line by press
- Must expand route tree
- Needs to improve overall route precision
- Has shown just average speed and burst
Antonio Williams 2026 draft outlook
New Orleans was one of several teams to show interest in Antonio Williams during the pre-draft process. While somewhat quietly effective, he's projected to be a Day 2 pick and could go as early as the second round. If he stays healthy and shows he can handle an expanded route tree, Williams has the upside to be a better pro receiver than he was as a collegiate player.
Antonio Williams isn't the most popular name in the 2026 receiver class. However, he has shown the skills that the Saints desperately need in their receiving corps -- a player who can be effective through the intermediate levels and can do so from both outside or the slot. Those attributes might be enough to draft Williams among the second day of picks if they don't draft a wideout with their first round selection.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Clemson Tigers WR Antonio Williams scouting report
Continue reading...
