The Patriots have just performed their best off-season in recent memory, or perhaps even longer. From signing solid, if not spectacular, free agents to drafting top potential stars and landing some of the best undrafted free agents available, Mike Vrabel has aced the entire offseason.
Varbel upgraded every level of his defense in free agency. He also signed veteran free-agent offensive linemen to a unit that was among the worst in the NFL in 2024. And he landed a couple of solid former Buffalo Bills receivers who are both huge improvements over their 2024 counterparts.
In the draft, Vrabel did what he should have done: he drafted the best players available at positions of need on the roster. One of those positions was wide receiver, and the player he drafted is a potential game-breaker. It was his third-round pick, former Washington State Cougar, Kyle Williams.
ESPN projects rookie Kyle Williams 2025 season
Last season, the Patriots' top receiver was Demario Douglas, who logged 66 catches for 621 yards and three touchdowns. This season, Clay projects that Stefon Diggs will lead the team with a meager 68 catches. While it's an improvement of sorts over Douglas' 2024 season, it's not exactly what the Pats will be looking for from the highly compensated Diggs.
ESPN's Mike Clay projects rookie Kyle Williams will make 47 catches for 588 yards and three scores. It's not an easy task to evaluate that projection. On the one hand, if the performances of past Patriots' rookie receivers are any barometer, Patriot Nation would be giddy about such a rookie season for the dynamic Williams.
That reaction would be especially appropriate in light of draft missteps like N'Keal Harry and Tyquan Thornton, who barely did anything. Williams will seek to be one Patriots' wide receiver draft choice who breaks the stereotypes in 2025.
Kyle Williams has tremendous potential
A myriad of factors will impact Kyle Williams' season. First, there is the further development of his quarterback, Drake Maye. If Williams can get open, Maye will get him the ball if he has time. Maye is expected to have a monster 2025 season throwing the ball for the Pats.
To do that, though, Maye needs a top-performing offensive line. Mike Vrabel was aggressive in signing three veteran offensive linemen in free agency. He also drafted two left tackles and a center/guard. The draftees include the best tackle in the draft, the fiery Will Campbell, and the draft's best center, Jared Wilson. This bodes well for a pitch-and-catch dynamic between Maye and Williams.
Additionally, Vrabel added a dynamic new running back, lightning-quick former Ohio State Buckeye, TreVeyon Henderson. He'll contribute the same element of explosiveness to the running back room that Williams will offer the receiver room. Adding these two home-run hitters to Maye's running ability is the stuff of nightmares for NFL defensive coordinators.
The 2025 stats suggested by ESPN's Mike Clay for Kyle Williams are realistic. Yet, he could exceed them. Williams is a receiver unlike any the Patriots have had in years. He should catch more than three touchdowns easily, and don't be shocked if he exceeds all these projections. He was a steal in the third round, and if the offense meshes early enough, he'll crush all of those suggested statistics.