10
Loading video...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The wide receiver room has been one of the biggest talking points for the New England Patriots this offseason.
In March, the team signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal worth up to $80 million, after he was coming off one of the best seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. Then, just a few months later, they made a blockbuster trade for All-Pro wideout A.J. Brown.
Stefon Diggs is gone, but Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas are all back — leaving some to wonder whether New England could cut its third-round pick from last year, Kyle Williams.
Read More on NFL
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel effectively shut down those rumors on Friday.
"I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us," Vrabel said. "We're going to find ways to get him the ball, and it may be outside of just a normal installation place, but that's my responsibility, that's Josh (McDaniels') responsibility, that's Todd (Downing's) responsibility, is to put him in those positions where we see the speed that showed up last year. So I know that he is going to be a large part of what we're going to do, and those opportunities will continue to come."
More news: Saints Rookie Continues Camp Rise After Highlight Play With Spencer Rattler
When the Patriots selected Williams in the third round (No. 69 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, he was coming off a dominant senior year at Washington State, hauling in 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 17.1 yards per catch. His explosiveness showed up at the NFL Combine too, where the 5-foot-11 receiver ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and posted a 36.5-inch vertical jump.
Outside of Diggs, the Patriots' wide receiver room was largely unestablished at the time, leaving the door open for Williams to carve out a real role in the offense. But his rookie season in New England was disappointing. He appeared in all 17 games, finishing with just 209 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches. He did add 290 yards on kickoff returns, but fans were hoping for more.
More news: Ravens Rookie Draws Michael Thomas Comparison After Another Strong Practice
...
More news: Justin Fields Could Start Chiefs’ Preseason Opener — Here’s Why
With New England's depth chart even fuller now, it's easy to see why some questioned whether his days on the roster were numbered. According to Vrabel, though, the Patriots still have a plan for the second-year wideout.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines