Pats Pulpit
Notes and thoughts on the Patriots’ young receivers, leadership roles, and more.
The New England Patriots and the rest of the NFL continue to take steps toward the 2025 season. That included taking the practice fields three times last week for their first week of OTAs.
As for other stories, thoughts and takeaways from the last few days, here is our weekly notebook clean-up operation. Welcome to the latest edition of the Pats Pulpit Sunday Patriots Notes.
Roughly 15 minutes following the conclusion of the Patriots’ Tuesday OTA, wide receiver Pop Douglas stood in front of a microphone to address reporters
Roughly 20 yards behind him remained rookie wide receivers Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, who were alternating on the JUGS machine as the last two offensive players left on the field. The extra work highlighted the competition they are bringing to the Patriots’ wide receiver room.
“I love them. I feel like they’ve brought everything to the room,” Douglas said. “Straight competition in our room and I love it. Every position, we got competition.
“So, them two, well the four rookies that came in, they’re pushing us to get better. So as we got people coming in the can work hard, that’s going to push everyone else to work harder.”
Beyond Williams and Chism, the Patriots also added Demeer Blankumsee and Jeremiah Webb in undrafted free agency. The four join a wide receiver that is currently 12 deep, although Tuesday’s practice saw Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins not participate while Ja’Lynn Polk was limited.
Williams, the team’s third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Chism, who received a large salary for a UDFA as New England competed for his services, took advantage of the extra reps.
On Tuesday, Williams’ first target saw him running free downfield until Christian Gonzalez, who started the rep covering the flat, appeared out of nowhere to haul in an over the shoulder interception. Like two other targets his way that ended on the turf the play went down as a negative stat sheet. But, Williams was open. Something he consistently did throughout the day even when primarily aligned the outside.
His day then ended with a strong connection from Drake Maye in the cover two hole on the left sideline while offensive Josh McDaniels also found ways to get the ball in the electric rookie’s hands.
“Oh yeah, everyone is competitive at this level,” Gonzalez said when asked about Williams. “Everyone is going to come in and especially receivers and CBs, that’s one of the positions you have to be the most competitive at. (Williams is) one of them. He’s going to talk his talk just like every other receiver. He comes in, had his head down, gets to work, you know he’s hungry, ready to go. At this point, that’s all you can ask from him – come in, get to work, and ask questions when needed.”
Chism, on the other hand, was more active in the stat...
