The 2025 NFL Draft came and went like a flash in the night, with the Patriots being one of just a few teams earning the highest marks for the players they selected over the three-day event. The new regime led by Mike Vrabel needed to continue their stellar offseason with a phenomenal draft, and they appear to have accomplished that by far and wide, making for an even more exciting offseason yet to come.
Part of that was due to their emphasis on offense in the first four rounds, something they did not do during free agency. This prompted a lot of concern regarding Drake Maye's sophomore season and whether it would be any better than last year, but Vrabel and Co., most notably Eliot Wolf, ensured he would be in a much better position this fall with their impressive collective of offensive talent.
One of those players is wide receiver Kyle Williams from Washington State, a predominantly under-the-radar name who took a backseat to some of the others expected to be taken around the same time. It explains why there was some disappointment from fans when Williams' name was called, but that quickly changed upon hearing his high evaluation.
Those worries will go away even faster after hearing one of the most recent comparisons of his game and how incredible he will be for the Patriots offense, especially for Maye.
Steve Smith Sr. is a big fan of what the Patriots are getting in Kyle Williams
If there was any doubt about the type of player the Patriots are getting with the selection of Williams, hearing what legendary wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. has to say about him will surely erase it all.
Other than his rave reviews regarding his technique and natural abilities, Smith boldly compares Williams to himself, going as far as saying that he is the "newest version of 89 that's out there."
With similar measurables and descriptors of their game, it's unsurprising to hear someone suggest the former Cougar might resemble someone like Smith. But hearing it from the man himself is much more significant and certainly means a lot more, because who knows Steve Smith better than Steve Smith?
RELATED: Patriots' nab David Andrews replacement with tremendous Jared Wilson steal
The 16-year veteran put together an unforgettable career across two teams, recording 1,031 receptions for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns, averaging 14.3 yards per catch. For his size and the usual unfavorable circumstances he played in, Smith was beyond impressive and earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro appearances because of it.
That makes his comments about Williams that much more memorable. If the Patriots can get even half of the player Smith was with their latest wide receiver, they will be winners for a long time on the field.
We still have to wait and see what he is capable of in the NFL, as sometimes college talent doesn't translate well once they make the pros. But we at least have Smith's confidence to remember until we see Williams take the field, giving fans something to look forward to during what might feel like a long offseason.