This wide receiver has impressed Patriots amid A.J. Brown, Kayshon Boutte situations

The New England Patriots have a new No. 1 wide receiver after they acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, New England receiver Kayshon Boutte remains the subject of trade rumors heading into the summer. 

Thus, second-year pro Kyle Williams has become somewhat of a forgotten figure. As Chris Mason of MassLive shared on Monday, Patriots wide receivers coach Todd Downing recently touched upon what he saw from Williams throughout the team's offseason program. 

Patriots "very pleased" with where Kyle Williams is in his development

"Some of those little details, the route tops, the play strength, proper footwork, who he has in the run game, blocking for us: All those things I think are a little bit cleaner to him," Downing said about Williams. "The picture is a little bit slower to him than it was last year. Really pleased with where he’s at. He’s been working his tail off. He’s moving all over the place, handling a big role. So very pleased."  

Williams' short- and long-term futures are up in the air after New England's trade for Brown and after the club signed fellow receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year contract reportedly worth up to $80M early in free agency. The Patriots made Williams a third-round pick during the 2025 NFL Draft, but he then recorded just 10 receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. 

That said, Williams could be given an opportunity to earn more targets from quarterback Drake Maye if New England trades Boutte. It sounds like the Patriots expect Williams to play a bit stronger after he added some positive weight during the offseason. 

Kyle Williams is "sturdier" than what he was this past February

"I can see him playing sturdier," Downing added. "I can see him doing a better job through contact. Certainly not avoiding reroutes and zones and things of that nature. Working through shoulders, and he’s doing a great job."

The Patriots seemingly aren't interested in adding another big-name receiver to the roster this summer. It remains to be seen what that will mean for Boutte's future with the club and for Williams' role in the team's offense.