Patriots rookie receiver reveals why playing with Stefon Diggs will be a full circle moment

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - New England Patriots rookie receiver Kyle Williams is beyond ready for Stefon Diggs to come to Gillette Stadium. 

Williams, who was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, went from watching Diggs while he was growing up to now having the opportunity to share the field with him. 

“The NFL has always been my dream, So in order to get there, you have to watch the people that’s been there, and done that,” Williams told reporters after rookie minicamp on Friday.“Diggs was just somebody I always watched as a kid, and most of the other receivers, so being able to learn from their tools, and being able to add it to my bag, and do it on a consistent basis.”

However, the two have yet to practice together. But, when that happens, it will be an incredible moment for the former Washington State star. 

“I’m still waiting for him to get here,” he added. “Once that happens, my childhood is basically complete, man.”

Williams is not the only younger player on the roster to feel this way about playing with Diggs. Quarterback Drake Maye also revealed that he not only watched Diggs when he was growing up, but also when he was playing Madden football or in fantasy football leagues with his friends, Diggs was a notable presence.

"Shoot, Stefon, he was one of those guys growing up when I was in high school, he was young in the league," Maye told reporters on May 1. "I had him on my fantasy team and things like that - playing with him in Madden,” 

So, fast-forward to 2025, the two are now teammates.

“It’s pretty cool to hopefully now in-season throw to him," Maye added. "He’s coming back obviously from injury. He’s doing great. He’s been around. It’s going to be cool to throw to a receiver who’s made plays like he has.

“He’s made big plays in playoff games and played in a lot of different schemes, played with high-level quarterbacks. Just to see his point of view. It’s my job to give him a chance and go get it.”