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The relative unknown Commanders WR predicted to win Offensive Rookie of the Year by ESPN analyst
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- The relative unknown Commanders WR predicted to win Offensive Rookie of the Year by ESPN analyst
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After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, the Washington Commanders are eager to bounce back. They stumbled to a 5-12 record, a significant drop from their inspired run in 2024, when they reached the NFC Championship Game.
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The Commanders struggled with quarterback Jayden Daniels in and out of the lineup due to injuries to his left knee, right hamstring, and left elbow. He was limited to only seven games.
Daniels is expected to be 100% healthy in the upcoming season. He will once again carry the offense, which also features wide receiver Terry McLaurin , tight end Laremy Tunsil , and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt .
For ESPN's Ben Solak, another guy who will make noise for Washington is wide receiver Antonio Williams . Solak even predicted that the 21-year-old newcomer, who was the No. 71 pick, will win as Offensive Rookie of the Year.
"It'll take a down year for a late-drafted WR to win this award, but this looks like a down year. Only two quarterbacks were taken in the first two rounds, and one of them ( Ty Simpson ) has no chance of earning a starting job. Should (Fernando) Mendoza not surpass (Kirk) Cousins until midseason or struggle statistically when he starts, the field opens up," wrote Solak.
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He added that Williams should benefit a lot from Daniels, who was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.
"Williams has an opportunity that stacks up against many of his early-drafted contemporaries. There is hardly any competition in the Commanders' receivers room behind Terry McLaurin. Williams will catch passes from Jayden Daniels, a remarkably better quarterback than players such as KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston ( Cleveland Browns ) or Omar Cooper Jr. ( New York Jets ) will work with in 2026," said Solak.
In his four years at Clemson, Williams tallied 207 receptions for 2,320 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2024 and the All-ACC Third Team in 2025.
Solak described him as a "hand-in-glove fit" for the system of offensive coordinator David Blough , comparing him to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown .
Related: Why Mina Kimes believes Brandon Aiyuk is a great fit in Washington
Related: ESPN analyst makes case Commanders' Dan Quinn should've been fired instead of Kliff Kingsbury
