Patriots' Josh McDaniels Remaining Confident in Rookie Receiver

New England Patriots rookie receiver Kyle Williams has been widely praised for his speed, athleticism and explosive play-making ability on the football field. 

In theory, the 69th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft was projected to provide the Pats’ offense with a big-play threat who is capable of stretching the field — seemingly everything for which the Patriots have repeatedly been clamoring.

Yet, just six games into the regular-season, Williams has been statistically quiet. The 22-year-old has logged just two receptions for 20 yards while aligning on just 64 snaps — beneath veterans Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins on the positional depth chart.

Still, Williams’ relatively scant usage to date does not appear to be a cause for concern among the Patriots powers-that-be. In fact, offensive coordiantor Josh McDaniels assured Pats Nation earlier this week that the rookie speedster is progressing according to plan.

“What we’ve done is look at the things we’re doing when the ball doesn’t come to you,” McDaniels explained on Thursday. “Are you doing the right things? A lot of times he is. And I keep saying — I’ve said that I feel like I broken record — the ball hasn’t quite found him on certain things yet, but if it does, then we’ll see what that looks like.”

At his best, Williams is quite capable of turning a short-spaced route into a high-yardage touchdown. In fact, the former 5’11” 190-pound receiver turned in a handful of impressive catches during both training camp and the preseason — leading to much excitement within Patriots Nation, as well as an increase in confidence for the Pats’ third-round draft pick.

Although Williams has yet to put that poise into practice in a game-day setting, McDaniels remains steadfast that the rookie’s day is close on the horizon.

“The fact that he continues to practice well, continues to have the ability to play at multiple positions gives him the ability to be in the game,” he explained. “We’re not [going to] put him in a position where he can’t get it.’ He’s in there running plays. Last week he subbed in for Diggs, he subbed in for Boutte, he subbed in for the slot receiver, so I think opportunities are there.”