{"id":720006,"date":"2026-01-31T21:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T21:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/720006\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T21:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T21:53:12","slug":"falcons-land-clemson-wr-antonio-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/720006\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons land Clemson WR Antonio Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Jan. 31, 2026, 3:35 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Now that the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> have hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach and Ian Cunningham as general manager, the team can begin assembling its roster for the upcoming NFL season.<\/p>\n

While the Falcons don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft draft due to last year’s trade with the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, they have no regrets about moving up for James Pearce Jr. The former Tennessee standout led all rookies with 10.5 sacks.<\/p>\n

Atlanta’s defense produced a franchise-record 57 sacks in 2025, prompting the team to keep defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in place despite the coaching change. The Falcons could still use a few pieces on offense, especially at the wide receiver position.<\/p>\n

Ray-Ray McCloud was released during the year and Darnell Mooney never seemed to regain his 2025 form due to injuries. Even with a healthy Mooney returning, the team could use some more depth at the position.<\/p>\n

In Pro Football Sports Network’s latest three-round mock draft<\/a>, the Falcons took Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the second round (pick No. 48 overall).<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a>Falcons draft Clemson WR Antonio Williams (Pick No. 48)<\/p>\n

“He may not have had the WR1-type season some expected from him, given his pre-draft hype, but Antonio Williams is still one of the best wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft,” wrote PFSN’s Jacob Infante<\/a>. “He\u2019s a crafty route runner with good explosion out of his breaks, consistently creating separation.”<\/p>\n

As Infante explained, Williams didn’t have a wildly productive 2025 campaign. The Clemson standout finished the year with 55 catches for 611 receiving yards and four touchdowns. This is a slight drop from his 2024 season, in which he recorded 75 catches for 908 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

In Round 3 of PFSN’s mock draft, the Falcons addressed their defense by taking Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun with the 79th overall pick.<\/p>\n

Falcons draft Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun (Pick No. 78)<\/p>\n

“Davison Igbinosun entered Ohio State as a toolsy, raw prospect with high highs and low lows,” Infante<\/a> wrote. “That\u2019s still the case, though he\u2019s evened out a bit. His instincts are showing progress in 2025, but it\u2019s his length and athleticism that have him firmly on NFL radars.”<\/p>\n

Igbinosun allowed just 22 catches on 46 targets for the Buckeyes this season, adding two interceptions and allowing a passer rating of 42.6. The 6-foot-2 defensive back has an NFL body and the skill set to eventually develop into a quality starter.<\/p>\n

The Falcons have to be happy with the production of their top two cornerbacks in 2025. A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes did a solid job, but veteran defensive back Dee Alford is a free agent.<\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

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