The New England Patriots’ struggles when drafting wide receivers in recent memory have been well-documented. 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams is hoping to flip the script and become a difference-maker for Drake Maye.
Outside of New England’s 2023 draft class, which featured Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, there hasn’t been a Patriots wide receiver to be drafted by the team and tally 500 or more yards in a season since Julian Edelman back in 2009.
The lack of production hasn’t come without consistent attempts to find talent, with the organization selecting a wideout in each of the last five drafts.
Williams is hoping to prove he is an outlier in comparison to previous selections, quickly making a name for himself through the first week of training camp.
HOLY KYLE WILLIAMS 😧pic.twitter.com/rXBAIlTcXn
— ⅃AͶᗡOͶ ᴴᵒᵖᵏⁱⁿˢ (@sadpatsfan__) July 24, 2025
Making flashy plays is impressive in its own right, but what has been more promising to the organization has been the rookie’s work ethic and willingness to grow.
As the lone rookie pass-catcher, Williams is surrounded by veterans with years of experience at the NFL level. None of the veterans has been more productive than Stefon Diggs, who is learning the ins and outs of Josh McDaniels’ offense alongside the young rookie.
Williams has been vocal about how Diggs has been his favorite wide receiver to watch since the 31-year-old was in college. Now the pair are playing together, both working to build a rapport with Maye, helping each other along the way.
The opportunity is there for Williams to find significant playing time in his first season, with Diggs returning from his torn ACL in 2024, and some question marks throughout the rest of the wide receiver room.
In his final year of college at Washington State, Williams proved he can be the number one target for an offense, totaling 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Names like N’Keal Harry, Ja’Lynn Polk and Tyquan Thornton will keep Patriots fans somewhat skeptical until Williams proves he can consistently produce at the highest level, but the rookie seems to have cast a new glimmer of hope over the 2025 season in New England.
