Kyle Williams, the Patriots’ second-year wide receiver, is shaking things up big time, showing off a lot more than just that killer deep ball he’s known for. We saw glimpses of it even before the regular season kicked off, and what he’s been working on behind the scenes is going to make him a much more versatile weapon on the field.
He’s Still Got That Go-Ball Magic, Don’t Worry
Look, we all know Williams has a special trick up his sleeve, and it was on full display in the preseason. The guy caught three touchdowns, all of them on the same route: a go ball. That’s some serious consistency right there. His elite release package and vertical speed truly make him a massive threat along the outside. It’s no secret that was his bread and butter last season too; nearly one-third of his routes were go balls, one of the highest rates in football. Only a few guys had a higher rate, like Kayshon Boutte before he was traded. With Boutte gone, Williams’ ability to win deep is still a huge asset for the Patriots’ offense. Plus, quarterback Drake Maye is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the entire NFL, so that connection is still going to be deadly.
Beyond the Vertical: Why Year Two Is Different
But Williams isn’t content being a one-trick pony. “I’ve been hearing that my whole life man, so I wouldn’t really say it’s a chip on my shoulder,” Williams said. “I know what I can do. I know I’m more than just a vertical guy. Whatever my role is that’s my role and I’m gonna accept it.” This offseason, the 23-year-old dedicated serious time to expanding his game, moving around the formation and running more intermediate routes. That’s a huge shift from last season, where he spent virtually all his time outside and on the ball. He mentioned that in college he wasn’t really exposed to too many intermediate routes, so now he’s finally getting that opportunity. “Year 1 to Year 2 it’s definitely been night and day. Now it’s just that ball finding me across the middle and everything so I can really showcase what I’ve been working on,” he added. The Patriots spent the offseason upgrading their wide receiver depth with guys like A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but those guys aren’t specifically burners, which makes Williams’ expanded route tree even more vital.
Getting Comfortable in the Chaos
Mastering those new route concepts in Josh McDaniels’ offense is no cakewalk for any wide receiver. Williams noted that the on-the-fly decision-making process was the biggest challenge, but he was really pleased with how his mindset developed throughout training camp. Wide receiver coach Todd Downing echoed that sentiment, saying, “It’s time on task, right? And there are some things that collegiately, maybe Kyle was able to do, because he was just more physically talented than some of the defenses that he was going against.” Downing emphasized the difference in the pros: “You get it this league, and I’ve always said that the closer you are to the football, the faster things happen. I think Kyle is starting to get more and more comfortable with that speed and that urgency that it takes to make the right decisions in there. So, I’m excited where he’s at and I love the approach that he’s taken , a do anyth.” This kid is putting in the work, and if he can truly master those intermediate routes, the Patriots’ offense is going to be a lot tougher to defend this regular season. Keep an eye on #18, because this dude is on a mission.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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