The third round of the 2025 NFL draft got underway out wide for the New England Patriots.
The organization selected Washington State receiver Kyle Williams at No. 69 overall on Friday night.
Here’s an initial glance into why and what’s ahead.
A 50-game starter whose final fall spanned 14 touchdowns
A former southpaw quarterback by way of California’s Hawthorne High School, Narbonne High School and Saint Monica High School, Williams transferred positions on the way to becoming a three-star recruit. The converted wideout went on to start all 50 games he appeared in at the collegiate level. And he went on to record a reception in as many.
The run began with Freshman All-American recognition at UNLV during the pandemic-condensed 2020 season. A total of 117 catches for 1,568 yards and nine touchdowns would be logged during his tenure with the Rebels before enrolling in Pullman with two years of eligibility remaining.
Williams proceeded to catch 131 passes for 2,040 yards with 20 visits to the end zone at Washington State, where he overlapped with Tennessee Titans top pick Cam Ward in 2023. His best was saved for last.
The fifth-year senior led the Cougars with 70 receptions and ranked No. 8 nationally with 1,198 receiving yards in 2024. Only Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and San Jose State’s Nick Nash caught more touchdowns than his 14.
A meeting with the Patriots at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and a “30” visit followed.
Gears to shift and separate
At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, putting him in the 85th percentile among wideout prospects in the MockDraftable archives.
It matches up with the on-field ability to break away from the pack.
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams posted an 89.9 grade against man coverage last season despite surrendering a handful of drops. He had a hand in 14 deep catches, averaged 8.4 yards after the catch per reception and forced 21 missed tackles. Each of those marks cracked the top-20 qualifiers.
“Starting at the line of scrimmage, Williams has an explosive get-off and a strong release package to beat press coverage,” the Pats Pulpit draft profile reads. “He’s a twitchy athlete who creates natural separation at all levels both snapping off routes and winning vertically with his long speed.”
He leaped for 36.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-11 broad jump while at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fifth draft pick at receiver since 2023
The wide receiver room at Gillette Stadium is running short on available seats. It isn’t running short on competition for quarterback Drake Maye’s early reads.
That had been clear following the signings of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency. It’s clearer now with Williams marking New England’s third draft investment at the position since last spring.
But the 22-year-old, who played the bulk of his snaps at the “X” and can be moved around the formation, marks the first draft investment under the watch of head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Previous No. 37 overall pick Ja’Lynn Polk and previous No. 110 overall pick Javon Baker combined for 13 receptions as rookies. And last season saw DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte — fliers from the sixth round of the 2023 class — pace a depth chart featuring veteran Kendrick Bourne.
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