The Dallas Cowboys' success in the 2026 NFL Draft, spearheaded by their masterful selection of defensive back Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick, has been muted just a bit due to teams in the NFC East also adding some very impactful players. The Washington Commanders, who landed Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams, were one of those teams.
ESPN's Ben Solak has overdosed on the Williams hype, saying that despite his status as a third-round pick, he will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2026. Even though Washington may have a good chunk of targets lined up, it may not take long for him to hit a wall in the pros when he faces off against Dallas.
The Cowboys will face off against the Commanders in Week 2 of the 2026 season, and there will be plenty of snaps in which Williams and Downs go up against one another directly. Betting on the third-round receiver over the No. 11 pick many thought was one of the best players in the entire Draft could come back to bite Commanders fans.
Cowboys' Caleb Downs can end Commanders rookie's OROY hype immediately
Williams had garnered plenty of first-round buzz early in the 2026 Draft process. Like many Clemson payers, however, a disappointing final season led to him sliding in the Draft. Is that the result of everyone within the program collectively flaming out, or was Williams perhaps just a tad overhyped as a prospect to begin with?
While the lack of depth behind Terry McLaurin should give Williams a good chunk of targets, Solak assuming stardom right out of the gate could be wishful thinking. Offensive coordinator David Blough is 30 years old and completly unproven, the offensive line is hit-and-miss, and Daniels is coming off an injury-plagued, regression-filled 2025 season.
Dallas, meanwhile, is poised to make Downs their starting nickel and a versatile chess piece in the same way the Ravens and Seahawks use safeties like Kyle Hamilton and Nick Emmanwori. Downs is better positioned to compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year than Williams is on that side of the ball.
Williams should get more targets than most third-round rookies, and Daniels coming back healthy should be a major win for this offense, but to set up a scenario where Williams wins some hardware as a rookie and Downs gets shut out seems like very wishful thinking from Solak and Commanders fans.
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