1 week Ago By Conor Ryan
By Conor Ryan The Patriots added a potential big-play receiver in Kyle Williams during the 2025 NFL Draft. New England selected the Washington State wideout in the third round (69th overall) of the draft, giving Drake Maye an explosive target who reeled in 14 touchdowns during the 2024 season with the Cougars. It remains to be seen if Williams’ knack for separating from defensive backs will translate over to the NFL ranks.
But, the 22-year-old wideout already has a top supporter in former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith. Smith — who recorded over 14,700 yards and scored 81 touchdowns in his 16-year NFL career — had high praise for New England’s latest wideout during a breakdown of Williams’ tape. “If I can go back in time and say — who reminds me of who would I like to .
.. be like? Kyle Williams,” Smith said.
“That’s the kid that reminds me of me. He reminds me of [my] demeanor. He’s gonna punch you in the mouth.
He’s gonna look at you. So I really like this kid. I really like him.
” Beyond his mentality, Williams has all the makings of a dynamic wideout at the next level. Even though he doesn’t have the standard frame (5-foot-11) of a boundary receiver, Williams routinely torched teams in college last season. In his final year at Washington State, Williams recorded 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 17.
1 yards per catch. He finished the 2024 season fourth in the FBS with his 14 receiving touchdowns — just one behind both 2025 No. 2 pick Travis Hunter and Ohio State freshman standout Jeremiah Smith.
10:11 of every single Kyle Williams TD as a Coug. you're welcome🙏 pic.twitter.
com/H2790vXzyO Williams posted a strong 58.3 percent success rate on throws of more than 20 yards in 2024, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. “Smooth hands, good releases, attacks the ball like he’s a dog,” Smith said of Williams.
“He’s my number two or three wide receiver in this draft that I just actually love. Strong at the catch point, really, like the kid — explosive with the ball in his hands. The only thing is he lacks detail in his route running.
” Williams has a long way to go when it comes to replicating the type of production that Smith put out on the gridiron during his standout career. But Smith — who also didn’t let his smaller frame (5-foot-9) limit him as a dynamic wideout — believes that Williams has the right skillset and approach to thrive against NFL competition. “He’s a fantastic football player.
I like him. I really like him a lot,” Smith said of Williams, adding: I mean, for me, I think he’s the newest version of [Smith’s jersey number] 89 that’s out there, behind [Bengals All-Pro] Ja’marr Chase. .
.. I mean, I’m just saying, the guys that remind me of myself.
That skill set is explosive. He’s dynamic with the football in his hands.” Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.
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