NFL Draft Rumors: Big Reason Why Patriots Picked Kyle Williams

The Patriots’ top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft all followed a similar theme: Support for Drake Maye.

New England used the fourth overall pick to add Maye’s new blindside protector and spent its second-rounder on a dual-threat back who’s exceptional in pass coverage. From there, the Patriots’ first of two third-round selections addressed one of the team’s most pressing pre-draft needs: wide receiver.

Kyle Williams, a versatile pass-catcher out of Washington State, has a chance to be an instant-impact player in Foxboro, Mass. Williams’ draft slot indicates as much, as does new intel from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.

“When I asked someone with the Patriots what drew the team to Williams, one word I got back was ‘committed,'” Fowler wrote in a column published Wednesday.

Completely buying into the team and its process appears to be non-negotioables in New England under new head coach Mike Vrabel. It doesn’t seem like Williams will have any issues checking the boxes, which could help him overcome a “mistake” he made with Vrabel upon landing with the Patriots.

New England fans probably will keep their expectations tempered, though, as the franchise’s history of highly drafted receivers is not flattering.