Welcome to Washington Antonio Williams!

[method man]

Agree about Dyami. I have him ahead of Burks to be that outside guy for exactly that reason, he’s done it with Jayden in big time moments. Interesting note: Dyami had a 75% catch percentage in 2024, when his career average is 57%, there was real chemistry between him and Jayden.

The thing about Burks is he only caught 10 passes and 1 touchdown and had a pretty low catch rate. I think he is on the bubble for sure. He was a number 1 pick though, and that 1 touchdown was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen, so who knows?

McCaffery has a 74% catch rate and he’s good on kick returns. In 11 games taking 30% of snaps, he had three touchdowns plus a handful of good catches including 33 and 50 yarders, not so bad for a project. I will be shocked if he doesn’t make this team.

Lane is tougher to say. He had two punt returns for touchdowns, so big special teams value, but less success as a receiver, only a 50% catch rate, plus he had three fumbles. I think he is on the bubble moreso than the above, but you probably keep a second year guy you spent a third round pick on.

As somebody said, the only people who are 100% safe are Terry and Antonio, and the competition should be good. I will say having Antonio in the mix really makes the depth chart look better.

It is harder to find a good punt returner vs kick returner. The punt returner also has more value because the touchback goes so far out on kick returns

 

[Faithful Fan]

It is harder to find a good punt returner vs kick returner. The punt returner also has more value because the touchback goes so far out on kick returns

I agree Lane has value as a punt returner, that’s his best bet to make the team, and he probably will, but I have him lower than Dyami and Luke because of the fumbles and low catch percentage. Here are the catch percentage numbers:

Terry (64%)
Antonio (75% at Clemson)
Dyami (57%, 75% in 2024)
Luke (75%)
Jaylin (50%)
Treylon (58%, 46% in 2025)
Van (56%)

Not the only data point, but one worth considering.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think people are irrational about Burks for some reason. Why does it matter that he was a first rounder. Forbes was a first rounder. Jamin Davis was a first rounder.

In the last 3 years, Burks’ best season was 16 catches for 221 yards. Last year he caught 10 balls. He’s constantly injured. And why should we assume that will be better? If that’s the line of thinking, maybe he’ll be healthier this year, why not just resign Noah Brown, who averaged more than 500 yards a season from 2022 to 2024. That’s 3 seasons more productive than any season Burks has ever had, and all 3 seasons more than twice as productive than any season Burks Burks has had outside of his rookie year?

I have infinitely more confidence in McCaffrey than Burks. Jaylin Lane produced more yards last year than Burks did in any of the last 3 seasons.

Burks is bottom of the list for me and likely to be cut if we sign Aiyuk. IMHO.

 

[Faithful Fan]

I think people are irrational about Burks for some reason.

Agreed. I think the reason is his highlight TD catch was such a memorable play.

 

[HailYeah]

I think people are irrational about Burks for some reason. Why does it matter that he was a first rounder. Forbes was a first rounder. Jamin Davis was a first rounder.

In the last 3 years, Burks’ best season was 16 catches for 221 yards. Last year he caught 10 balls. He’s constantly injured. And why should we assume that will be better? If that’s the line of thinking, maybe he’ll be healthier this year, why not just resign Noah Brown, who averaged more than 500 yards a season from 2022 to 2024. That’s 3 seasons more productive than any season Burks has ever had, and all 3 seasons more than twice as productive than any season Burks Burks has had outside of his rookie year?

I have infinitely more confidence in McCaffrey than Burks. Jaylin Lane produced more yards last year than Burks did in any of the last 3 seasons.

Burks is bottom of the list for me and likely to be cut if we sign Aiyuk. IMHO.

I think people are just overly hopeful. They see a player that was a first rounder on a bad team and immediately blame the team or the QBs that were throwing to them. We should know best that a good WR will always perform regardless of QB talent (#17). Hell, you see it with practically every good receiver.

The eagles fans were very hyped up when they got former first round pick jahan Dotson and were claiming howie fleeced us and now he doesn’t need to be a #1 or 2 so he will be very good as a 3. He did squat for them and they were fine seeing him go.

I’m cheering for Burks and want him to work out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he washes out here.

 

[method man]

I think people are irrational about Burks for some reason. Why does it matter that he was a first rounder. Forbes was a first rounder. Jamin Davis was a first rounder.

In the last 3 years, Burks’ best season was 16 catches for 221 yards. Last year he caught 10 balls. He’s constantly injured. And why should we assume that will be better? If that’s the line of thinking, maybe he’ll be healthier this year, why not just resign Noah Brown, who averaged more than 500 yards a season from 2022 to 2024. That’s 3 seasons more productive than any season Burks has ever had, and all 3 seasons more than twice as productive than any season Burks Burks has had outside of his rookie year?

I have infinitely more confidence in McCaffrey than Burks. Jaylin Lane produced more yards last year than Burks did in any of the last 3 seasons.

Burks is bottom of the list for me and likely to be cut if we sign Aiyuk. IMHO.

I actually doubt he makes it through camp. I think he is a guy who is on IR to start the season if they are even willing to do that

 

[bifflog]

 

[NoCalSkins]

If you are under WR4 on the depth chart (and aren't at least a mainstay at something else like KR/PR) then it tells me basically your ceiling is rotational player that will spend his entire career bouncing from team-to-team on 1-2 year contracts. It doesn't mean that WR has zero value or they won't come up with some big catches in isolated situations but I am not expecting to count on or be all that broken up about WR's that low on the depth chart coming & going on the roster.

 

[CuredFromBatteredFanSyndrome]

RE: Burks

It’s not just the highlight play. He flashed on the field even when the stats didn’t back it up. He was getting open and hauled in some tough grabs.

That’s not enough to write him in as WR2 by any stretch but I get the allure of the potential. He looked the part when he was on the field, which hasn’t been often for him.

While there were some prototype WR2’s on the board when we picked at 71, it wasn’t like there’s an abundance of guaranteed studs they overlooked for Williams.

 

[BayouBrave86]

I posted this elsewhere too

Catching up on McShay's podcast. Him and Muench thought Antonio Williams was a great pick and would start right away.

McShay -- loves this pick, underrated, sudden. Great route runner. Decent YAC player. Touts his 1.8% drop rate. "I think he comes in to Washington and he's starting right away"

They go even though Clemson has more talented WRs, but he was their best WR. He is should an important part of their offense, their security blanket.

I think he will be one of the best things that ever happened to Jayden Daniels.

That was my argument draft night when I melted , we drafted the least talented of the trio 😂 oh and yet another slot guy.

If Haulcy weren’t still on the board I would’ve been better with it. The irony of Cross to us and Haulcy to the Colts.

Anyway, cheering for Williams to become a great weapon for us 🍻 let’s pray those hamstrings are healed up because there is a lot to like with his style and athleticism

Crazy how much talent Clemson had on their roster and how badly they underachieved. I put a lot of blame on that overrated bum Klubnik though. Him, Allar, and Nuss were all way too overhyped going into the season last year.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[ES1974]

Consider me confused, round 2 takeaways ?

 

[Under Command Podcast]

This guy gonna really help our offense. Im excited to see him play in the burgundy and gold.

 

[heisenberg]

Consider me confused, round 2 takeaways ?

I was confused too but I think it means guys who you can steal in round 2 of fantasy keeper leagues but I could definitely be wrong about that.

 

[Conn]

Yeah it’s for dynasty fantasy football, where you keep the same team every year (other than trades) and draft rookies like NFL teams. Fun hobby, lots of niche twitter content that is geared towards it that’s adjacent to regular football content on player value, etc.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[DWinzit]

I keep feeling better about Williams ability to separate through route running and general feel to find openings. I am becoming more convinced he will not be a slot only but can and will flex to Z. He and Terry could drive DB's crazy and Jayden can rely on these 2 being where they are supposed to be.

 

[bifflog]

 

[Faithful Fan]

Luke McCaffery was a college QB too, there are some interesting trick play possibilities with two receivers who can pass and a quarterback who can run. Rare though it may be, the WR pass is still pretty cool.

Versatile is definitely the word on Williams. He has those 2 touchdowns and 144 passing yards, plus another 2 touchdowns and 183 rushing yards, plus a fair number of punt returns. People wonder if he can play outside, I figure he is one of those who can play wherever you put him.

 

[Conn]

Luke McCaffery was a college QB too, there are some interesting trick play possibilities with two receivers who can pass and a quarterback who can run. Rare though it may be, the WR pass is still pretty cool.

Versatile is definitely the word on Williams. He has those 2 touchdowns and 144 passing yards, plus another 2 touchdowns and 183 rushing yards, plus a fair number of punt returns. People wonder if he can play outside, I figure he is one of those who can play wherever you put him.

Blough came from the Ben Johnson school of liking trick plays a little too much, as well. In fact one of the only plays we know for sure was “his” design in the past was a trick play from a couple years ago, maybe before he was a coach.

So, you’re probably right. We’re in for some bullshit at some point this season, and it’ll be fun when it works but when it fails in a high leverage situation, people will hate it. Or we’ll run it when we don’t “need” to because we’re winning and people will complain that the play was wasted (not realizing this is usually done so that teams have to prepare for it the rest of the season, inevitably setting up something else)