The Patriots’ third-round draft pick grew up a Stefon Diggs fan.
Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Kyle Williams had a favorite highlight video of a certain University of Maryland wide receiver. The receiver, who wore No. 1, just so happened to be Stefon Diggs, who played for the Terrapins from 2012-14.
Little did then 10-year old Williams know, but flash forward 13 years and the duo would now be sharing a field together as members of the New England Patriots.
“I just kept watching [that highlight video] every day. And now look at us today,” Williams said on Saturday. “It’s been a blessing. That’s always been my favorite receiver. Being right next to him is just a god[-given] gift.”
The four-time Pro Bowler Diggs has been known for his ability to beat man-to-man coverage throughout his career — a skill with Williams that helped lead to New England drafting him in the third-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The two also share a similar build with Diggs measuring in at 6-feet, 191 pounds compared to Williams’ 6-feet, 186 pounds.
But besides the similarities in their games today, a young Williams was attracted to one thing in particular from Diggs’ time back at Maryland.
“He was just different. He was crafty,” Williams said. “I mean, there was something about him that stuck out to me and I just gravitated towards it.”
New England’s top rookie receiver has now shared the field with Diggs throughout the early stages of training camp, as he has spent a majority of his time with the first-team offense out wide with the veteran often working inside.
That led to Williams hauling in a pair of passes from Maye on the first-day of camp — that included a tough grab through All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez — and Diggs, expectedly, being one of the team’s most active receivers.
It’s something the Patriots hope will continue throughout the summer and into the season from their new receiving duo.
“It just stems from the offseason. Just getting constant work and understanding each other and him being able to trust me when those types of routes are called,” Williams said of his connection with Maye. “We go through meetings, we have those talks and whatever sticks out to him, and whatever I feel I should comment on. Then we just have those conversations.”