FOXBORO — Midway through the third round Friday night, the Patriots drafted Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams.

Related Articles

Patriots draft Washington State WR Kyle Williams 69th overall

Why Patriots ‘shocked’ their second-round pick RB TreVeyon Henderson

Patriots select Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson No. 38 in 2025 NFL Draft

Will Campbell reveals two goals after being introduced by Patriots

18 potential Patriots for second, third round of 2025 NFL Draft

Williams profiles as a new type of receiver for the Patriots, who have struggled to beat man-to-man coverage in recent years. Williams piled up more than 2,000 yards over the past two seasons, despite playing outside as a smaller receiver and facing lots of man coverage. Last year, he caught 70 passes, including 13 touchdowns, and thrived in one-on-one situations.

Williams, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, used three words to describe his game during a video conference with reporters Friday: “Versatile, game-changing and electric.”

Williams also credited his success against man coverage to regular film study.

“Always perfecting my craft, I take pride in my craft,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s an art, and you have to take pride in art. You have to have attention to detail. You have to worry about the little things, and I worry about those small details and try to correct things and master them to add them to my game.”

The fifth-year senior visited the Patriots in Foxboro earlier this month and said it was a memorable visit because of head coach Mike Vrabel and wide receivers coach Todd Downing.

The Patriots watched Williams last January at the Senior Bowl, where he was clocked as the fastest receiver, running more than 22 miles per hour. He joins a crowded wide receivers room in New England headlined by Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins and 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

Rising third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte is a rumored trade chip for the Patriots, who will have seven picks entering Saturday’s final rounds of the NFL Draft.