The Patriots have been hunting for wide receiver help for the past several years, mainly since Julian Edelman chose to retire after the 2020 season. Once the fan favorite left the team, it was the official end of an era, and his absence created a significant hole on the offense that has yet to be addressed. That was a major part of the roster Mike Vrabel needed to fix this offseason, resulting in Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins being signed in free agency.
The focus then shifted to the draft, which was loaded with talented receivers who could easily boost the Patriots' offense for the 2025 season. That led them to WSU's Kyle Williams in the third round, who is already being touted as the next big thing in Foxboro.
He might not have the name that most analysts and fans were expecting to be the next Patriots receiver, but once his name was announced with pick No. 69, the excitement around him took off and hasn't stopped. It's gotten to the point of Williams being compared to Patriots legends, like Edelman, which is exactly what fans will love to hear going into a crucial 2025 season.
The hype around Kyle Williams' potential with the Patriots reaches new heights
With Drake Maye going into his second season and now being surrounded by highly regarded coaches like Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, there is much more excitement around the potential of the offense's success than there has been in years.
Part of that can be attributed to Williams' arrival, which became more intriguing after his father recently spoke to Christopher Price of the Boston Globe. That's when Stephen Williams let Patriots Nation know that his son will be a player they'll instantly love, comparing his play style and tenacity to Julian Edelman's.
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As if wearing a legendary jersey number wasn't great enough (No. 18 was last worn by special teams legend Matthew Slater), Williams being compared to a player like Edelman is just icing on the cake.
This is just the latest comparison Williams has received in recent weeks, with perhaps the most impressive one being Steve Smith Sr. He stated he sees himself in the former WSU player, which is a strong take considering just how good he was during his 16-year career.
It's a lot for Williams to live up to, but he looks poised and determined to prove he is exactly who they say he is, especially after being overlooked by several teams who chose other receivers ahead of him. The Patriots look like they might have hit the jackpot with their next star player, so it'll be even more fun to watch the next few months of the offseason to see what he can do in his first year in New England.