Clemson Wide Receiver Antonio Williams “Gets it Done”

I heard a television announcer say this about Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams, and I agreed with him right when he said it.

While Williams may not be the flashiest receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, he did catch more passes (55) for the Tigers than any other receiver on their depth chart last season.

And you know what…

When I slipped on my proverbial ‘NFL-colored glasses,’ I enjoyed watching him play for the second-straight season.

That’s a good sign.

Sometimes comps come to my mind when I am watching college prospects on film, and sometimes they don’t.

Can’t manufacture it.

But one came to mind as I was watching Williams play ⎯

Laveranues Coles.

It’s the first time his name has even crossed my mind since his playing days.

Coles was a third-round receiver picked by the Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft, ironically, when I was there. Coles went on to play in the NFL for the Jets, Redskins, and Bengals. During that time, he played in the league for 10 years, catching 674 passes for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns. In fact, Coles ranks as the No. 91 NFL yardage-leading receiver of all time.

And I’ll add this ⎯

I am very careful about throwing out comps, just as I am about my grading. Comps like that create expectations, and expectations influence career trajectories. *Ironically, Williams is listed at the same height as Coles’ height, and Williams playing weight is listed at 10 pounds lighter than Coles’ playing weight.

Hands and consistent productivity

These two things are very important to consider when grading receivers.

With that said ⎯

How are Williams’ hands?

2025:

• 55 catches on 74 targets
• 74.3% catch rate

✔️

How consistent was Williams?

This was the total number of catches he had in each of his 10 games this season: 0*, 5, 5, 7, 6, 10, 6, 7, 2, and 7 (*he barely played in the season opener against LSU before getting injured).

That’s pretty consistent.

Were there passes that went off his fingertips that I thought maybe he should’ve caught?

Yes.

But overall, Williams has confident, dependable hands.

YAC

This stands for ‘yardage after catch.’

What are the characteristics that cause him to be good at picking up YAC?

• Strong build
• Determination
• Instincts
• Vision
• Good contact balance

Those are the same characteristics that put him in the role of being a spot return specialist throughout his college career.

What were his “YAC” numbers in 2025?

Per Pro Football Focus, Williams produced 320 yards of YAC (5.8-yard average).

Concerns?

• Holding onto the ball when there’s strong physical contact at the catch point

• Consistently running the routes to the right depth point

• Jumping unnecessarily for passes

NFL pre-draft conclusion

I like Williams.

He’s another one of these tough, productive, competitive “Jack-of-all-trades” receivers who fit the short-to-intermediate (0-19 yards) NFL play scripting in today’s game.

Everywhere I looked on film ⎯

Williams was making another play.

#0 Antonio Williams 5-foot-11, 190 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Third Round prospect as of March 13, 2026

Clemson Wide Receiver Antonio Williams Fits NFL’s Timeline (2024: 14 games evaluated)

2025 game film evaluated: LSU, Syracuse, North Carolina, Boston College, SMU, Duke, FSU, Louisville, Furman, and South Carolina (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Missed two games in 2025 with a hamstring injury

Missed the Pinstripe Bowl due to a shoulder injury

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Accomplished route runner who tends to make it look easy. Plays loose. Often slot. Sometimes out wide or in the backfield. Couple of Wildcat snaps. Long arms. Energetic. Quick. Smooth. Fluid. Elastic athletism. Physical. Quick choppy feet. Unpredictable hyper movements. Springy. Easily gains route leverage. Crisp change of direction at breakpoints. Wins his share of battles against press-man. Wins against off-man and zone. Good eye discipline. Waits until the last second to front face for the ball. Good catch radius and concentration. Can adjust to the ball. Sometimes sneaks behind a defense. Questionable vs. contested catches. Accelerates quickly after the catch. Will work back toward his quarterback when he’s in trouble. Solid blocker.

Final words

Williams already looks like a veteran NFL receiver.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.