Patriots draft profile: Kyle Williams is a big-play threat with the ball in his hands

Williams has been a riser through the draft process.

Entering the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have plenty of room for improvement at the wide receiver position. While the addition of Stefon Diggs may not force the Patriots hand at the position atop the draft, the group lacks young, high-upside talent to develop alongside second-year quarterback Drake Maye. In order to find that talent, they could turn to day two of the draft.

One of the targets to keep an eye on in that range is Washington State’s Kyle Williams, who has been one of the biggest risers through the draft process.

Hard facts

Name: Kyle Williams

Position: Wide receiver

School: Washington State

Opening day age: 22 (11/13/2002)

Measurements: 5’10”, 190 pounds, 8 3/4” hand size, 30 1/8” arm length, 73” wingspan, 4.40 40-yard dash, 36 1/2” vertical jump, 9’ 11” board jump, 6.35 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Schools: UNLV (2020-22), Washington State (2023-24)

Career statistics: 50 games (50 starts) | 2,880 offensive snaps | 248 receptions, 3,608 receiving yards (14.5 yards/catch), 29 TDs

Accolades: Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2020), Freshman All-American (2020)

Williams began his football career as a quarterback where he spent the first two years of high school as a backup. Not being on the field, Willians transferred his junior year and won the starting job before being convinced to transfer again his senior season to play under his trainers’ son, Anton Clarkson.

It was Clarkson who then recommended Williams make the position switch to wide receiver, where he went on to play his senior season and draw college interest as an athlete. Williams eventually committed to UNLV to play under head coach Marcus Arroyo.

Arriving on campus in 2020, Williams started all six games of UNLV’s Covid-shortened season. He made an immediate impact as well, leading the team with 35 receptions and 426 yards en route to earning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.

Over the next two seasons Williams started all 19 games he played in and accumulated 82 receptions for 1,142 yards. Williams drew interest from several teams in the transfer portal but did not enter until UNLV fired Arroyo following the season. He then transferred to Washington State.

In his first season with the Cougars, Williams posted career-highs with 61 receptions for 842 yards and six scores. His play earned him a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watchlist for the best college wide receiver heading into the 2024 season, where he stayed at Washington State to play under head coach Jim Dickert.

Using his final year of eligibility due to Covid, Williams became one of the top receivers in college football hauling in 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns. He then accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Draft profile

Expected round: 3 | Consensus big board: No. 90 | Patriots meeting: Senior Bowl + 30 visit

Strengths: Starting at the line of scrimmage, Williams has an explosive get off and a strong release package to beat press coverage. He’s a twitchy athlete who creates natural separation at all levels both snapping off routes and winning vertically with his long speed (4.40-second 40-yard dash).

Working vertically, Williams shows a strong knack of tracking the ball and was one of the biggest threats in college football on plays 20-plus yards downfield — ranking top-12 in receptions (14), receiving yards (454) and touchdowns (6) on such targets.

With the ball in his hands, Williams is a problem for opposing defenses as he’s a threat to take underneath routes and screens the distance. Among qualified receivers last year, Williams ranked top-20 in both missed tackles forced and yards after catch per reception — specifically finishing seventh averaging 16.2 YAC/REC on targets behind the line of scrimmage. He finished fourth among all FBS receivers with 590 total yards after the catch.

“Every time he touches the ball in the short space, he makes something happen,” Dickert said last season.

Weaknesses: Williams has just average size at the receiver position at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds which shows in his play strength as he can be rerouted at times due to physicality. He also missed five games over the 2021 and 2022 season due to injury and also hurt his hamstring at the NFL Combine.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Despite not bringing the size New England’s wide receiver room is missing, Williams brings the long speed and a threat with the ball in hands. That should allow him to factor into the equation quickly his rookie year where he’ll provide immediate big play ability and can be worked into the offense on designed touches.

What is his growth potential? While Williams was a five-year late breakout player in college, he still will be just 22 years old at the start of the year and has only played receiver since his senior year of high school. He has the upside to continue to grow into a legit secondary option in a passing attack.

Does he have positional versatility? Last season for the Cougars, Williams spent roughly 75 percent of his time as the X-receiver out wide. He should continued to be moved around the formation on offense and also saw nine rushing attempts last year for 57 yards. Williams did not, however, play special teams throughout his college tenure.

Why the Patriots? The Patriots continue to search for upgrades at wide receiver and Williams brings speed and an ability to make splash plays at numerous levels. His skillset projects to be used well by Josh McDaniels as he could become a strong pair with Drake Maye.

Why not the Patriots? New England could hunt for size early in the draft at the receiver position in hopes of finding a consistent option who can threaten outside the numbers. While Williams did primarily play outside in college, they could worry his average size and play strength issues will not allow that to continue. Additionally, Williams could come off the board early then expected leaving the Patriots without the option of selecting him.

One-sentence verdict: A competitive and athletic receiver, Williams’ big-play threat and potential in a passing attack make him a worthy day two selection.

What do you think about Kyle Williams as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.