Pats Pulpit
Williams has been a riser through the draft process.
Entering the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have plenty of room for improvement at the wide receiver position. While the addition of Stefon Diggs may not force the Patriots hand at the position atop the draft, the group lacks young, high-upside talent to develop alongside second-year quarterback Drake Maye. In order to find that talent, they could turn to day two of the draft.
One of the targets to keep an eye on in that range is Washington State’s Kyle Williams, who has been one of the biggest risers through the draft process.
Name: Kyle Williams
Position: Wide receiver
School: Washington State
Opening day age: 22 (11/13/2002)
Measurements: 5’10”, 190 pounds, 8 3/4” hand size, 30 1/8” arm length, 73” wingspan, 4.40 40-yard dash, 36 1/2” vertical jump, 9’ 11” board jump, 6.35 Relative Athletic Score
Schools: UNLV (2020-22), Washington State (2023-24)
Career statistics: 50 games (50 starts) | 2,880 offensive snaps | 248 receptions, 3,608 receiving yards (14.5 yards/catch), 29 TDs
Accolades: Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2020), Freshman All-American (2020)
Williams began his football career as a quarterback where he spent the first two years of high school as a backup. Not being on the field, Willians transferred his junior year and won the starting job before being convinced to transfer again his senior season to play under his trainers’ son, Anton Clarkson.
It was Clarkson who then recommended Williams make the position switch to wide receiver, where he went on to play his senior season and draw college interest as an athlete. Williams eventually committed to UNLV to play under head coach Marcus Arroyo.
Arriving on campus in 2020, Williams started all six games of UNLV’s Covid-shortened season. He made an immediate impact as well, leading the team with 35 receptions and 426 yards en route to earning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.
Over the next two seasons Williams started all 19 games he played in and accumulated 82 receptions for 1,142 yards. Williams drew interest from several teams in the transfer portal but did not enter until UNLV fired Arroyo following the season. He then transferred to Washington State.
In his first season with the Cougars, Williams posted career-highs with 61 receptions for 842 yards and six scores. His play earned him a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watchlist for the best college wide receiver heading into the 2024 season, where he stayed at Washington State to play under head coach Jim Dickert.
Using his final year of eligibility due to Covid, Williams became one of the top receivers in college football hauling in 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns. He then accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Expected round: 3 | Consensus big board: No. 90 | Patriots meeting: Senior Bowl + 30 visit
Strengths: Starting at the line of scrimmage, Williams has an explosive get off and a strong release...
