Mid-Round WR Pops Up on Vikings’ Radar
All of a sudden, because free agency caused the Minnesota Vikings to lose a wide receiver, the franchise may be in the market for a replacement. And don’t look now, but wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell schmoozed with Clemson’s Antonio Williams at the school’s Pro Day.
A Clemson pass catcher gained traction after fresh reporting tied him to Minnesota’s draft process.
Folks saw the footage on social media, and to a degree, some interest has gathered around Williams’s 3rd-Round draft stock.
A Longer Look at Clemson WR Antonio Williams May Be in the Cards
Get to know Williams from Clemson.
McCardell at Clemson Pro Day
Looking for draft hints for the purple team? From The State Newspaper, a South Carolina publication, Chapel Fowler has you covered.
He tweeted Thursday, “ACCNX broadcast shows Clemson slot WR Antonio Williams chopping it up with Vikings WR coach Keenan McCardell at pro day. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid says he could ‘definitely’ see the Vikings being interested in Williams as a Day 2 pick.”
Here’s the footage.
And just like that, Williams, as a mid-round Vikings target, gained some steam.
Scouting Report for Williams
Williams 6’0, 187 pounds, 21 years old, has 4.40 speed, and a slot receiver with a knack for pristine route-running and deep ball prowess. The only real knock on him is his stature — similar to Vikings wideout Jordan Addison. In WR-speak, he’s somewhat tiny.
The Draft Buzz‘s Felix Green on Williams: “Put him in a timing-based passing scheme that values route precision over raw athleticism and he will produce right away. Spread formations, RPO concepts, and quick-game packages that let him work against linebackers and nickel corners in space are where he thrives.
“His punt return ability and willingness to take designed touches as a runner or passer out of gadget looks give a coaching staff extra ways to get the ball in his hands. The concern with Williams is straightforward: can his body hold up? He is built lean and relies on elusiveness rather than physicality, which works until you are absorbing hits from NFL safeties week after week.”
It’s worth noting that Vikings fans never, ever object to Minnesota drafting wide receivers. In 65 years of team history, it’s arguably what they do best.
Green added, “Two seasons with missed time is not catastrophic, but it is a pattern front offices will weigh. When he is right, though, the 2024 tape tells you everything. Seventy-five catches and 11 touchdowns from a slot receiver at Clemson is not a fluke.”
“That is a player who knows how to get open, win at the catch point, and create after the ball arrives. He will not be anyone’s top outside weapon, but as a high-floor number-two or premium slot option who chips in on returns, the production should translate cleanly.”
Draft Huddle‘s Janik Eckardt also noted a Williams weakness last month, though there are not many: “Williams missed time due to nagging injuries during portions of the 2023 and 2025 seasons.”
Jalen Nailor Gone
Why would Minnesota be in the market for another wide receiver? Simple — Nailor left this week, signing a sweet $35 million contract over three years with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he profiles to become Fernando Mendoza’s WR1 or WR2.
Minnesota, of course, will feature Justin Jefferson and the aforementioned Addison at the top of the playmaking ticket, but the club cannot afford to skimp at WR3 after Nailor’s departure, especially after quarterback Kyler Murray became a Viking on Thursday night.
The Vikings must surround Murray with weapons like he’s never seen before, and adding Williams or a reasonable substitute from the draft could be on the way.
It helps that McCardell and Williams looked pretty buddy-buddy at the Clemson Pro Day.
Tai Felton, a Free Agent, or Someone like Williams?
The Vikings have three main options at Williams’s position this offseason — after Nailor’s exit:
- They can roll with last year’s rookie, Tai Felton, who may or may not be ready for WR3 duty. The coaches already know the answer to that; fans do not. Felton played sparingly on offense in 2025, and perhaps the franchise planned for a true redshirt year. If so, Felton can be the WR3 to replace Nailor.
- From free agency, a handful of names could fill WR3 shoes, such as Christian Kirk, Deebo Samuel, Hollywood Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Darnell Mooney, to name a few.
- And in the draft, Williams feels like a reasonable choice. About 15 WRs are expected to be selected before the end of Round 3.
Williams is from South Carolina. He attended Dutch Fork High School in Irmo and earned First-Team All-ACC honors at Clemson in 2024.
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