Kyle Williams, Round 3 (No. 69)- Wide Receiver
Kyle Williams is 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and can really stretch the defense down the field and get over the top of them. He averaged 17.1 yards per reception last year.
In just two years at Washington State, Williams totaled 131 receptions for 2,041 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Last year was his breakout season with 70 receptions, 1,198 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
Williams ran the 40-Yard-Dash in 4.40 seconds, and NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry noted that Williams put on a “clinic” with separation yards at the Senior Bowl.
One last note: the Patriots brought Williams in for a Top-30 Visit. They like what he offers and they landed him in the draft. They got their guy and it’s great to see.
My take: Williams is an excellent addition, however, I don’t think he’s a true X receiver and that’s what the Patriots need right now and have needed for over a decade now. I hope this pick doesn’t impact DeMario Douglas, who’s poised for a breakout year working with McDaniels for the first time. But it inevitably will, right?
Jared Wilson, Round 3 (No. 95)- Center
This is where the fun happened for Vrabel, as I mentioned above with the trades he made to get to No. 95 and used it to draft Georgia center Jared Wilson.
Wilson is 6-foot-3, 310 pounds and a one-year starter at center while at Georgia. He played in 21 games as a backup before earning the starting role in 2024 for the first time. Wilson is athletic with impressive measurables at the NFL Combine, with the fastest 40-Yard-Dash for a center (4.84) and a broad jump of 9’4”.
This is now the second offensive lineman drafted in the first four picks. Vrabel is continuing to address the offensive line to protect Maye.
My Take: Wilson is a great depth piece, for now, but I don’t think it was needed in the third round after signing Garrett Bradbury, and Vrabel was impressed with how Cole Strange performed as a center in limited time last year. Wilson ranked as Pro Football Focus’ the third-best center in the draft. I’m not disappointed in the player, I just don’t think he’s able to help right now and that’s what the first four picks should’ve been used for. I would’ve thought tight end Gunnar Helm was the target.