NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice listed 12 NFL rookies who “need to succeed” in Year 1 – including a couple of former Clemson standouts in offensive tackle Blake Miller and wide receiver Antonio Williams.

Miller was the first Clemson player to come off the board in April’s NFL Draft, when the Detroit Lions selected him in Round 1 with the No. 17 overall selection.

Williams was picked by the Washington Commanders on Day 2 of the draft, in the third round with the No. 71 overall selection.

Here’s what Filice wrote about Miller and Williams, and why they “need” to have success right off the bat in their rookie seasons:

After stumbling to a 3-13-1 mark in Dan Campbell’s debut campaign, Detroit rapidly ascended over the next three seasons, going 9-8, 12-5 and 15-2. But the trend line sharply reversed in 2025, with the Lions missing the playoffs at 9-8. That regression could be attributed to a number of factors, but it’s hard not to home in on the offensive line. Detroit’s calling card during the franchise’s inspiring rise, the O-line fell off in 2025, causing GM Brad Holmes to refashion the unit this offseason. Penei Sewell is the only OL starter remaining from the back-to-back NFC North championship teams of 2023 and ’24, though in the wake of Taylor Decker’s release, the first-team All-Pro right tackle is poised to move back to his college position on the blind side. Who’ll fill Sewell’s spot at RT? Larry Borom was signed as a veteran Band-Aid, but then the Lions spent their first-round pick on a real solution. Having started every single Clemson game over the past four seasons, Miller possesses the kind of experience that could portend a smooth transition into the NFL. Jared Goff better hope so.

As stated a month ago, I’m afraid the Commanders haven’t done enough to upgrade Jayden Daniels’ weaponry. Beyond Terry McLaurin, the receiver room doesn’t have a single player who eclipsed 350 yards in the NFL last season. This could put undue pressure on the ninth wideout selected in April’s draft. Williams spent the majority of his time at Clemson in the slot, leading many to assume that’s where he’d earn his keep in the NFL, but the Commanders continue to stress their belief that he can be an inside/outside threat. At a hair under 6 feet tall and 187 pounds, Williams wins with quickness, route savvy and ball skills. And he has a good feel against zone coverage. Not to mention, the guy throws a nice ball, as evidenced by this 40-yard dime on the move from last season. It will be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator David Blough deploys this Day 2 pick, but Jayden needs him to produce from Day 1.

Miller was a mainstay on Clemson’s offensive line for the last four seasons, breaking the Clemson record for career snaps from scrimmage by playing 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career games (all starts) from 2022-25.

The three-time All-ACC selection started every game Clemson played in his entire four-year career and set the Clemson record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist with 54. 

Miller became Clemson’s highest-selected offensive lineman since 1960, when Lou Cordileone was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 12 overall pick and Harold Olson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 13 overall pick.

Williams left Clemson ranking fourth in school history in career catches (208), while racking up 2,336 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns across 43 games. The two-time All-ACC selection also tied Mike Williams for the fourth-most career touchdown receptions in school history.

In 2025, Williams caught 55 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns over 10 games. He also rushed 13 times for 78 yards and a touchdown, completed a 75-yard touchdown pass and gained 44 yards on four punt returns en route to third-team All-ACC honors.

Williams became the ninth Clemson player ever selected by Washington, the 11th wide receiver in school history to be selected in the first three rounds of a draft, and the 13th wide receiver in Dabo Swinney’s head coaching tenure to be drafted into the NFL.

Williams and the Commanders will open the 2026 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 13 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Miller and the Lions will kick off the upcoming regular season when they play host to the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13 at Ford Field in Detroit.