The New England Patriots left nothing to hide with their strategy for the 2025 NFL Draft back in April.
With their first four selections, they went all-in on offense. The Patriots added a pair of now locked-in starting offensive linemen in left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson. They splashed in Round 2 with electric Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Later on Day 2, they used a third-round pick on Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, adding another explosive prospect who fans and analysts alike felt could soon take over as New England’s long-awaited No. 1 option on the perimeter.
Through the quarter-mark of the 2025 regular season, the Patriots have gotten strong returns from three of those rookies. The clear outlier? That would be Williams, who’s seen the fewest offensive snaps (40) of any Patriots receiver entering Week 5, according to Pro Football Focus.
Is it time for fans to worry about New England Patriots rookie WR Kyle Williams?
While the Patriots lack star power at the wide receiver position, they do have a deeper group this year, led by Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins. All three veterans are clearly ahead of Williams on the depth chart, and when you factor in the running backs and tight ends, and a Josh McDaniels offense predicated on making every skill position player on the field a threat, there haven't been many targets available for Williams to get rolling.
Entering Sunday Night Football at Buffalo this week, Williams has been targeted just two times in four games. On the plus side, he caught both passes for a gain of 20 yards, but it’s fair for fans to wonder when we’ll see more of New England’s 22-year-old weapon.
Williams played a season-high 14 snaps in last week’s blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, per PFf. He wasn’t targeted, but the Patriots seemed to make a point to get him involved. He had some downfield routes that drew the attention of Carolina’s defensive backs and led to some big plays underneath, including a nice catch-and-run by Diggs on a crosser from the slot.
Maye had a chance to uncork a deep go-route down the left sideline with Williams in 1-on-1 coverage, but he wound up stepping up into some pressure and took a sack. Later, Williams made an alert play to cut across the field and shield off his defender to help spring tight end Hunter Henry for a touchdown.
The Patriots did get the ball in Williams’ hands on a rushing play, but the Panthers weren’t fooled; he was dumped in the backfield for a loss.
Either Williams has earned himself more reps in practice, or the team simply wanted to get him on the field in a 42-13 blowout win at home. That question will be answered in the coming weeks, but Patriots wide receiver coach Todd Downing hinted this week that Williams is making progress.
"His play speed has really become more consistent, and I think he's really using good stride length and running his routes at the right depths. That's continuing to develop... and confidence in his hands, catching the ball away from his body. Those are just some things that say are really improved.”
It’s worth noting that Williams was slowed a bit by injuries during the preseason, including a concussion in the game at Minnesota. He’s going to need more reps to build a rapport with Maye, who is already flashing an established connection with Henry, Boutte, and Diggs.
The glass-half-full take? Williams appears to have passed DeMario Douglas in the pecking order. His time is coming, and it's way too early for fans to start panicking, or throwing out the Patriots wide receiver draft curse takes. We’re not yet close to reaching that boiling point.