New England Patriots
“With the ability to study the playbook and simply no matter they want for me, simply with the ability to execute at a excessive stage.”
FOXBOROUGH — Kyle Williams’ rookie stats could not essentially leap off the web page.
The 2025 third-round choice (69th general) was extra of a complementary piece in New England’s resurgent offense final season, recording 10 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Whereas the previous Washington State standout showcased a few of his blistering pace off a number of chunk-yardage catches final 12 months, he struggled to carve out an everyday position as a reliable goal for Drake Maye. Even along with his 10 catches, he solely reeled in 42.9 % of his complete targets (21) on the 12 months.
Talking on the Patriots’ Group Day occasion on the crew’s apply facility on Wednesday, the proficient wideout careworn that he’s able to take a significant step ahead in 2026.
“I might say that me now from my rookie 12 months goes to be evening and day, for positive,” stated Williams, who additionally labored as a part-time kickoff returner over the second half of the season. “I realized lots simply with the ability to sit again. I had nice vets within the room, and I had an excellent teaching workers. Only a nice crew general that simply helped me get by my rookie 12 months.”
Even with the signing of Romeo Doubs and the potential arrival of A.J. Brown subsequent month by way of commerce, there must be extra alternatives for Williams to carve out a higher position in New England — particularly after Stefon Diggs’ departure and Kayshon Boutte’s potential standing as a trade chip.
Whereas Josh McDaniels and the Patriots’ offensive personnel ought to have lots to work with this upcoming season on the subject of pairing an MVP-caliber quarterback in Maye with weapons like Doubs and probably Brown, Williams ought to nonetheless maintain loads of worth due to his straight-line pace.
If New England does transfer on from Boutte particularly, Williams may step into an identical position as an outdoor “X” receiver — able to reeling in deep throws from Maye whereas different gamers like Doubs and Brown draw extra consideration.
For Williams, constructing a stronger rapport with Maye this offseason and through coaching camp stands as certainly one of his high priorities.
“Constructing chemistry with Drake and every little thing,” Williams stated. “With the ability to study the playbook and simply no matter they want for me, simply with the ability to execute at a excessive stage.”
Despite the fact that the 23-year-old Williams’ pace speaks for itself, he’s additionally not essentially the most imposing determine at 5-foot-11 — particularly when matched up on the surface towards bigger defensive backs.
As such, bulking up has been certainly one of Williams’ high priorities this offseason. After weighing 185 kilos “soaking moist” final season, he stated he’s already between 191 and 193 kilos at this juncture of the NFL calendar.
His weight loss program? A gentle consumption of PB&J sandwiches, meals from the Patriots’ new coaching facility subsequent to Gillette Stadium, and a heaping portion of sweet — together with gummy bears and Mike and Ike’s.
“Play power was undoubtedly one thing that I wished to emphasise,” Williams stated. “I knew that I wanted to get my decrease half stronger and bulk up just a little bit, coming throughout the center, getting off and press and all that kind of stuff. In order that was certainly one of my greatest emphases, mobility and simply placing on just a little weight.”
If the Patriots need to show that final 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl run was not a flash within the pan, an already explosive offensive unit will want extra gamers to tug on the rope behind Maye transferring ahead.
It’s a message that Williams has seemingly taken to coronary heart going into his second 12 months as a professional.
“Simply consistency all through my complete sport,” Williams acknowledged when requested about his important purpose in 2026.
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