The New England Patriots may have struck gold in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the selection of Kyle Williams, an electric wideout out of Washington State who’s quickly generating buzz in fantasy football circles.
With blazing speed, a gritty mindset, and a productive college résumé, Williams could be a key cog in a revitalized Patriots offense, especially with Drake Maye entering Year 2, Stefon Diggs now in town, and a competent coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels.
A BREAKOUT STAR AT WAZZU
After transferring from UNLV, where he had an early breakout age of 19.1 (86th percentile), Williams didn’t just flash in 2024; he truly erupted. In his second and final season at Washington State, Williams racked up 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns on 70 catches, averaging a jaw-dropping 17.1 yards per reception. That TD total placed him fourth in the nation, trailing only elite names like Travis Hunter and Ohio State freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith.
He capped the year with a Holiday Bowl record 172-yard performance against Syracuse, despite his coach leaving for another gig and his stud quarterback, John Mateer, hitting the portal. That kind of mentality will earn him quick respect in the Patriots’ locker room and plenty of snaps on Sundays.
As CFB insider Bruce Feldman put it:
“Probably my favorite player in the whole draft… He’s quick, a great route runner, really tough — and just love the football character about him.”
KYLE WILLIAMS’ FANTASY OUTLOOK: WHY HE COULD EAT EARLY
Let’s not pretend the Patriots’ wide receiver room is loaded. Sure, Stefon Diggs adds much-needed star power, Pop Douglas is a nice piece out of the slot, and Kendrick Bourne should be better this season. But outside of Diggs, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, no one offers the combination of separation ability, after-catch juice, and vertical upside that Kyle Williams brings.
Williams’ natural twitch and suddenness are tailor-made for slot work, and that’s likely where he carves out a role in Josh McDaniels’ offense. His release package is both efficient and effective, and with his blazing speed (4.40 40) and twitchy acceleration, he’s a mismatch against most nickel corners, linebackers, and safeties.
In short, he separates early and often, which makes him an ideal target for a young quarterback like Drake Maye in McDaniels’ quick-trigger scheme. Maye thrived in college throwing to explosive receivers, like Josh Downs, who could create early windows, and Williams fits that mold.
Expect the Patriots to scheme him touches via jet sweeps, quick hitters, and drag routes, all designed to take advantage of his elite burst. He’s also more than capable of working vertically; he posted a 58.3% success rate on throws 20+ yards downfield in 2024, per Dane Brugler.
With Diggs drawing coverage and opening up space, Williams could provide instant fantasy value, especially in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball and deeper redraft leagues.
KYLE WILLIAMS’ DYNASTY OUTLOOK: CLIMBING UP THE RANKINGS
In dynasty formats, Williams is a steal. While he’s currently being drafted outside the top seven in most rookie wideout rankings, I’m firmly ahead of consensus on my 2025 Dynasty Rookie Rankings, slotting him above and in the same tier as Jack Bech, Jaylin Noel, Jalen Royals, and Elic Ayomanor at WR8 (+2 vs ECR) and 19th overall (+5).
Why the confidence?
Because Williams brings the traits that matter long-term:
- Separation ability
- Route nuance and burst
- Football IQ and character
- Explosiveness after the catch
- Versatility to play inside or outside
And while his wirier frame (6’0″, 186 lbs) may keep him out of consistent boundary work early, don’t let that fool you—Williams is a DOG.
Legendary WR Steve Smith even said:
“That’s the kid that reminds me of me. He’s gonna punch you in the mouth. I really like this kid.”
If that doesn’t scream long-term upside, what does?
WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS?
Like any mid-round rookie, Williams isn’t without concerns. His frame is lean, and he’s not the most physical player through contact. He sometimes struggles when pressed at the line or when tasked with winning contested catches outside the numbers.
Additionally, some scouts note his route detail still needs polishing. While he’s dynamic in space and has a good feel for zone coverage, he occasionally rounds off breaks or tips routes, making him slightly more predictable for savvy corners.
However, most of these issues are refinable. His motor, willingness to compete, and smarts give him a real shot to refine the technical parts of his game at the next level, especially under the mentorship of a polished vet like Diggs, who helped the Texans’ young receivers tremendously last season.
SUMMARY: KYLE WILLIAMS DRIPS IN FANTASY WR2 POTENTIAL
Kyle Williams isn’t just a flashy name with big plays on tape. He’s a football player. He made the tough decision to stay with his team through adversity, battled through injury, and delivered in clutch moments. That matters, and it’ll matter to the Patriots new coaching staff.
With Drake Maye ascending, Diggs commanding attention, and a bolstered O-line and run game led by fellow rookie TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots offense should finally take a leap in 2025, and Williams would be a key reason why.
He’s a dream fit in Best Ball formats and has weekly flex appeal in redraft leagues if he carves out a slot-heavy role from the jump. In dynasty, he’s the kind of guy you stash now before the breakout happens.
Keep tabs on The Wolf’s updated 2025 Fantasy Rankings to see exactly where Williams lands, but the early signs suggest he’ll rise quickly up the boards if camp buzz matches the tape.
If you’re looking for a high-upside receiver with elite character, separation skills, and a clear path to early playing time, Kyle Williams should be your guy.
