After missing out on most of the top wide receivers from last year's free agency class or the big-time trades, the Patriots chose to sign Stefon Diggs, who was coming off a season ended by an ACL injury. That then led them to select Kyle Williams in the third round of the 2025 Draft, and it looked like the receiving corps was massively upgraded from the season before.
Williams was an exciting prospect for his speed and athleticism, so he appeared to be exactly what the Patriots' offense had been missing. But once the season began, it was clear that something was off, either with Williams himself or the trust from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, because the rookie wasn't used much at all on game day.
There hasn't been a clear explanation for that decision, despite Williams' impressive showing in a few games, which led to him logging just 10 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns, averaging nearly 21 yards per reception.
Given that he didn't have a season most believed he would, reporters were quick to ask Eliot Wolf earlier this week about Williams' future, and the unofficial GM acknowledged that, while also seemingly sending a message to the receiver going into the offseason.
Eliot Wolf makes the Patriots' expectations clear to Kyle Williams this offseason
With changes expected to be made with the receiving corps this year, Williams should take what Wolf is saying and do all that he can to achieve it.
Eliot Wolf on if #Patriots WR Kyle Williams could take on a bigger role this year:
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) February 24, 2026
"The way we used him was as more of a speed player... He's got more in him that he could show. He's gotta get stronger."
-@CLNSMedia | Question by @iambrianhines pic.twitter.com/9xfM94IuWz
The potential that Williams has shown, especially in the limited opportunities he was given during the 2025 season, proves he can be what Drake Maye needs on the offense for years to come. But it appears he has some work to do, starting with getting stronger.
That was a constant talking point about another recent Patriots draft pick, Tyquan Thornton, who prioritized gaining weight during the offseason in hopes of remaining with the team. That inevitably didn't work, but from what we've seen, Williams is a more talented and consistent player, so there shouldn't be the same concerns.
This is something that he can control and work on, even before the team returns to Foxboro for OTAs and more.
But we'll also need to see him incorporated into the game plan far more than we did this past season, and setting up some workouts with Maye in the months they're gone from the team would certainly help that happen.