Patriots select Washington State's Williams 69th overall

The New England Patriots selected Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 69th overall.

Williams shined for the Cougars last season, racking up 70 catches for 1,198 yards and six touchdowns. He'll provide a nice weapon for young signal-caller Drake Maye.

Pre-draft profile

Meet the hidden gem of this year's receiver class. The names at the top are getting the majority of the attention, and deservedly so. Williams might be one whom the scouting community regrets missing out on. The Washington State standout is a sudden athlete with easy vertical speed. He's got an NFL-ready release package to create instant advantages off the snap, and quickness in and out of his breaks allows for separation at all levels of the field. The movement skills also make him a weapon after the catch. Williams doesn't have the size or strength to work through contact and make an impact in contested-catch scenarios, so some teams may not see him as a true outside receiver. He can separate and make plays no matter where he lines up, though, and there's a good chance he ends up outperforming his draft position.