Wide receiver was one of the Patriots' most important positions this offseason, and thanks to the draft and free agency, the organization made some vital additions to a position that needed a power surge.
Stefon Diggs being signed to a three-year contract was the ultimate icing on the cake for Mike Vrabel and Robert Kraft, and an A+ draft produced Kyle Williams, who is already drawing praise from veterans.
That's certainly a huge plus given that the Patriots have had numerous draft busts at the wide receiver position the last several years, and if the first couple of days of organized team activities are any indication, Williams will be a vibrant light on and off the field.
DeMario Douglas gives Patriots' rookie valuable praise
One Patriots receiver the offseason acquisitions are bound to help is DeMario Douglas. A speedy slot receiver, Douglas will likely draw many single-coverage looks thanks to Diggs's presence on the outside.
The third-year receiver has liked what he's seen from Williams and the other first-year receivers so far, sharing his belief that the competition in the room will push veterans like himself, Stefon Diggs, and Kendrick Bourne to shift their games up.
"I love ‘em. I feel like they’ve brought everything to the room.” Douglas told MassLive's Karen Guregian. “Straight competition in our room, and I love it. Every position, we got competition."
That's especially true of undrafted rookie Efton Chism III, who came up with 120 receptions at Eastern Washington University last season, breaking a record once held by Cooper Kupp.
Undrafted free agents are usually long shots to make the roster, but a guy like Chism is proving to be impressive from a work ethic standpoint. Given how crowded the Patriots' wide receiver room is, that should equate to some valuable battles throughout the spring and summer.
Should other veterans be nervous?
Wide receiver will be a challenging position come August regarding who the Patriots choose to keep and who they decide to cut. Trades could also happen, and second-year guys like Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk will need outstanding springs and summers if they want to stick around.
If anything, Williams, Chism, and the other rookies are proving to the veterans and the coaches that the Patriots did the right thing by bringing them in.