Kyle Williams may not have been a regular fixture with the Patriots’ top offense this offseason, but Mike Vrabel made it clear Friday that the rookie receiver is in line for a bigger role.
Speaking ahead of the scrimmage on the Gillette Stadium practice fields, Vrabel singled out the 2025 third-round pick and pointed to one trait that could force its way into the game plan.
“He’ll continue to earn opportunities,” Vrabel said. “I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us. His speed is going to help us.”
Vrabel did not spell out exactly how Williams will be used, but he made it obvious the Patriots plan to build around that speed. He said the team will look for ways to get Williams the ball beyond the standard installation, and that the coaching staff shares responsibility for making it happen.
“We’re going to find ways to get him the ball, and it may be outside of just the normal installation plays,” Vrabel said. “That’s my responsibility, that’s Josh [McDaniels]’s responsibility, that’s Todd [Downings]’s, responsibility to put him in those positions where we see the speed that showed up last year.
“I know that he is going to be a large part of what we’re going to do, and those opportunities will continue to come. His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress.”
That kind of praise stands out because Williams has not been as visible as some of the other receivers in camp. New England’s current pecking order has A.J.
Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas as the top three, with Kayshon Boutte in the next spot after repeatedly flashing big-play ability and a strong connection with quarterback Drake Maye. Mack Hollins has also been getting notable snaps in a variety of alignments.
Efton Chism, meanwhile, has seen more time with the starters, especially during Doubs’ recent non-injury-related absence. Williams has mostly been on the fringe of those reps, only occasionally working with Maye and the first-unit offense.
Still, the Patriots have reason to believe Williams can be more than a depth piece. During his rookie season, he served mainly as a backup X-receiver behind Boutte, a spot that may not have fit his skill set all that well.
Even so, he produced 12 catches on 27 targets for 223 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His 18.6 yards per reception ranked fifth in the NFL among wide receivers with double-digit catches.
There were also issues. Williams and his quarterback were not consistently on the same page, and his overall production wavered. That unevenness carried over to the return game, where he averaged 26.0 yards on 12 runbacks.
Even with those rough edges, the Patriots remain committed to the 23-year-old. Vrabel even suggested the team could carry seven wide receivers on the opening day roster, a sign of how seriously they view the competition in the room.
“All we have to do is figure out the best way to keep guys that are going to help us win, that have roles on this team and that help us win,” Vrabel said.
“It’s a great room. It’s a good competitive room. And by competing and getting out there every single day, those will by nature increase his opportunities.”
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