The Commanders picked up a much-needed 27-10 win last week vs. the Eagles. As things stand right now, 2-4-1 Washington is alive in the wide-open NFC East. Still, this group needs to start stacking up victories. A season-ending knee injury to Terry McLaurin has left a major void at wide receiver. That means increased opportunity for Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks.
Which of Washington’s wideout duo should you prioritize off of the waiver wire? Let’s break down what to expect from Burks and Williams in fantasy football going forward.
Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks Fantasy Football Outlook
It’s clear that Washington’s front office believes in Williams. He was drafted in the third round of last spring’s NFL Draft, so there’s a decent amount of capital invested here. So far, that faith has been rewarded. Through seven games, the Clemson alum has snagged 23 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but it’s a nice start for almost any rookie wideout. On Sunday vs. Philadelphia, he reeled in a season-high five catches for 54 receiving yards.
Now that McLaurin is sidelined, it’s no coincidence that Williams’ role is expanding. The 22-year-old has logged at least 67% of Washington’s offensive snaps over his previous four appearances. In each of those contests, he’s hauled in three receptions or more. A slot specialist, Williams is the kind of safety blanket that quarterback Jayden Daniels should value on important passing plays. Speed and route running prowess gives him a decent fantasy floor, especially in PPR formats.
Burks is the more experienced option of the two, having spent five seasons in the NFL. A former first-round pick by the Titans, the veteran’s career hasn’t been very productive up to this point. However, he seems to have found a home with the Commanders. At 26 years old, the Arkansas alum could have some untapped potential as well. Through six games this season, Burks has snagged 12 catches for 233 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That includes a team-leading 19.4 yards per reception.
Much like Williams, Washington’s big play threat has seen a recent uptick in usage. Burks has recorded a combined seven catches for 147 yards over his last two games. He’s also garnered 11 targets during that time. Granted, there’s some obvious risk here. Burks has never been a possession receiver, better suited as a field-stretching red zone threat. At 6’2″, 225 pounds, he’s capable of pulling off some impressive contested catches. With that being said, Burks has always been a bit erratic on a week to week basis.
It’s not as if the Commanders are without any receiving threats in McLaurin’s absence. Stefon Diggs remains a key part of this passing attack, sliding into the role of WR1. After that, the depth chart is a bit uncertain. Burks may have higher upside, thanks to his knack for stretching the field. Still, Williams profiles as a more consistent option for Daniels out of the slot. Ultimately, I lean towards the latter in most PPR leagues. Touchdowns are king, but it’s difficult to envision ever feeling confident about starting Burks. That’s without mentioning the fact that Williams has out-snapped him over the past month. For managers in search of a viable flex option, Washington’s youngster is a waiver wire priority in Week 9.
