Kyle Williams
Wide Receiver
Kyle Williams News
Kyle Williams is Operating as Fourth Receiver
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams was expected to have an expanded role in the offense last week. The Patriots lost top wideout A.J. Brown (ankle) during the season opener. Williams was expected to have a larger role, but he operated as the fourth wideout during Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He hauled in one of his two targets for 10 yards while playing 20 percent of the offensive snaps. Despite the injury to Brown, it looks like Williams is going to remain the fourth receiver on the depth chart. The 23-year-old remains a dynasty stash, but he doesn't hold much value in redraft formats.
Sep 25, 2026 6:49 PM EST
Kyle Williams Likely to See More Playing Time
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is expected to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Williams didn't see a target during the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He only played 11 offensive snaps, but the 23-year-old is expected to see more of the field now. The Patriots placed superstar wideout A.J. Brown (ankle) on the Injured Reserve this week. Brown is set to miss at least the next four games due to a high-ankle sprain. The second-year wideout should have a path to more targets with Brown sidelined. He showed flashes during his rookie season and has the speed to be a legit threat on the field. Fantasy managers should expect more balls to be thrown his way during the Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sep 16, 2026 6:13 PM EST
Kyle Williams has Opportunity for Bigger Role Going Forward
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams only caught 10 passes after being taken in the third round last year out of Washington State, but he did average 20.9 yards per catch and found the end zone three times in 17 regular-season games. Williams had a forgettable 2026 season debut in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Wednesday, playing only 17% of the offensive snaps while not being targeted at all by quarterback Drake Maye. The 23-year-old is currently not rostered in any Yahoo leagues, but that could change quickly after Week 2 against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers with top pass-catcher A.J. Brown (ankle) potentially out for up to six weeks due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered last Wednesday night. Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas should see more targets from Maye going forward, but Williams will also have a bigger role as a field-stretcher, giving him some deep-league waiver-wire value going into the second game of the season as a boom/bust depth option at WR.
Sep 15, 2026 2:32 PM EST
Kyle Williams Should See Full-Time Role with Top Wide Reciever Injured
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams didn't have a target or a catch in Week 1, but he could be lined up for a much bigger role for the team going forward after an injury to A.J. Brown (ankle). Brown was seen leaving the locker room on Wednesday wearing a boot on his right foot, which could lead to the team's big offseason acquisition missing time. Williams only played 11 snaps on offense after his big preseason, when he racked up six catches for166 yards and three touchdowns. The second-year receiver is definitely a name to watch on the waiver wire in deep leagues if Brown ends up missing any time. The Patriots have 10 days until their next game in Week 2 at home against the Steelers, when they'll look to erase a tough Week 1 loss.
Sep 10, 2026 5:12 AM EST
Kyle Williams Looking to Build Off Preseason Momentum
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams had a spectacular preseason, and he'll look to keep that momentum going on Wednesday against the Seattle Seahawks. Williams' remarkable preseason included six catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns as he solidified his rapport with quarterbacks Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito. All signs point to Williams potentially having a Year 2 breakout, especially after the team traded away wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. With that being said, we're not quite bullish enough on Williams to start him against the Seahawks in Week 1. He's still third on the depth chart behind A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, and he'll also have to compete for targets with tight end Hunter Henry. Plus, the Seahawks are a tough matchup, as they allowed just the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Managers would be justified in stashing Williams in deeper leagues, but it would be a bit premature to insert him into your starting lineup for Week 1.
Sep 8, 2026 10:25 PM EST
Kyle Williams Trending Up After Big Preseason
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is trending up in fantasy football after stringing together three impressive preseason games. The Washington State product scored a touchdown in all three contests, and he totaled six catches for 166 yards despite playing limited snaps. The Patriots have A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs firmly entrenched as their top two wide receivers, but Williams could push for the No. 3 receiver role, especially after Kayshon Boutte was traded to Houston last month. The 23-year-old is looking to build off his three-touchdown season as a rookie last year. He ranks as the WR119 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings, but he could get onto the fantasy radar by midseason, especially if either Brown or Doubs miss any time.
Sep 5, 2026 3:00 PM EST
Kyle Williams Trending Up After Another Big Touchdown Catch
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams was involved in another explosive play on Thursday as he caught a 45-yard touchdown pass in Week 3 of the preseason against the Cleveland Browns. Williams finished the game with two catches, 55 yards, and one touchdown. This marks the end of a fantastic preseason for the former Washington State receiver. He found the end zone in each of the Patriots' three games, and he finishes the preseason with a total of six catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns. There was never a doubt that Williams was going to make the 53-man roster, but this impressive stretch of games could help him carve out an even larger role. He already started climbing up the depth chart this week after the team traded away Kayshon Boutte to Houston. Fantasy managers should look to stash Williams in all dynasty leagues, and there's even some low-end appeal in deeper redraft formats. He's the WR121 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Aug 27, 2026 7:02 PM EST
Kyle Williams Shows Off Big-Play Ability in Saturday's Preseason Win
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams got behind the Eagles defense for a 69-yard touchdown catch in the team's 24-21 preseason win on Saturday night, now giving him two impressive scores in as many games this summer. Williams had a slow start to training camp, with some around the Patriots even speculating that his roster spot could be in jeopardy after an offseason overhaul of the receiver room, but he has continued to stack days of late, showing up big whenever his number has been called. While his long touchdown on Saturday came from backup Tommy DeVito, Williams' game-breaking speed could show up regularly in a New England offense helmed by Drake Maye, who proved himself one of the league's best deep ball throwers in his 2025 breakout season. Williams could ultimately still struggle to find consistent production as part of a deep receiver room, but he has the potential to help win weeks as a late-round pick in 2026 best ball drafts.
Aug 23, 2026 6:07 AM EST
Kyle Williams' Stock Rising with His Upside on Display
With the benefit of time and film study to reflect on the New England Patriots' preseason opening tie with the Colts, ESPN's Mike Reiss has labeled second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams as one of his three offensive risers, along with third-string quarterback Behren Morton and potential third running back Jam Miller. Williams got into his deep bag of releases, showcasing a slick crossover move on his 12-yard touchdown grab and offering a glimpse of the upside he can provide when pairing the full package with his impressive straight-line speed. While Reiss points out that it wasn't all perfect for the 2025 third-round pick, Williams will have the opportunity to further hone his skills against one of the league's best secondaries when the Patriots meet up with the Eagles for joint practices later in the week. Quietly putting together an impressive camp of late, Williams is making a case for an expanded role in a receiver room not lacking talent.
Aug 16, 2026 6:25 AM EST
Kyle Williams Opens Second Preseason with a Touchdown
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams caught two of three targets for 37 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Williams is gearing up for a potential breakout campaign in his second NFL season, and scoring the first touchdown of the preseason is a step in the right direction. As a rookie last year, Williams caught 10 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Head coach Mike Vrabel has expressed a desire to get Williams more involved in 2026, and he could come out of this preseason as high as No. 3 on the depth chart. He won't surpass AJ Brown or Romeo Doubs, but Williams could make his presence felt more than players such as DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins. Williams is an intriguing low-cost target in dynasty leagues, but it's a bit too soon to snag him in most redraft formats.
Aug 14, 2026 3:42 AM EST
Mike Vrabel Says Kyle Williams Will be "Large Part" of Offense
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams has seemingly been on the roster bubble during training camp this summer, but not if you ask head coach Mike Vrabel, according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. The former third-rounder has looked like the team's No. 7 wideout in camp and has seen limited reps with quarterback Drake Maye, but Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and receivers coach Todd Downing are planning on finding ways to get the speedy pass-catcher the ball. "I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us," Vrabel said. "His speed is going to help us." Williams had some big plays in 2025 as a rookie, but he only caught 10 passes on 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns. The 23-year-old from Washington State worked in the offseason to become more physical and versatile, and the Patriots have some more of a willingness to use him as a ball-carrier. "His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress," Vrabel added. Time will tell if Vrabel's words hold up, but as things currently stand in New England's crowded WR room, it's hard to envision Williams having a big weekly role while competing for playing time with the likes of A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayson Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Efton Chism.
Aug 7, 2026 11:16 AM EST
Kyle Williams Not a Lock for 53-Man Roster
After a slow start to his second training camp, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams made several notable plays during the team's first padded practice of the summer on Thursday. The obvious caveat is that those plays came with Tommy DeVito under center, as Williams continues to run primarily with the second-team offense, and in an early projection of the team's 53-man roster, The Athletic's Chad Graff has the 2025 third-round pick on the outside looking in. Graff acknowledges the unlikeliness of Williams being left off the roster despite an early lack of involvement and points to the team's upcoming preseason games as a crucial opportunity for him to show he belongs, potentially by earning a role in the return game. Williams caught only 10 passes as a rookie, and with wide receiver now representing the deepest position on the Patriots roster, it's unlikely he becomes a reliable fantasy contributor even if he does make the team, reflected by his fall to WR91 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
Jul 31, 2026 6:27 AM EST
Kyle Williams at the Bottom of Patriots Depth Chart
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams currently looks like the team's WR7, behind A.J. Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chishm III, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was running with the second- and third-team offense during Monday's training camp practice. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2025 out of Washington State barely contributed in his first NFL season, catching 10 of 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (zero starts), although he did flash some big-play ability deep down the field and averaged 20.9 yards per catch. It's still early in training camp, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who are stashing Williams heading into his second NFL season can't like what they are hearing. If he's in danger of not making the active 53-man roster near the end of camp, the Patriots could consider trading him to a WR-needy team.
Jul 27, 2026 8:13 AM EST
Kyle Williams to Compete for Snaps in Three-Receiver Sets
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams' path to consistent targets didn't get any easier heading into his sophomore campaign in 2026 after the Patriots added A.J. Brown via trade and Romeo Doubs in free agency, but Evan Lazar of Patriots.com writes that Williams is set to compete with Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas for snaps in three-receiver sets in training camp this summer. Specifically, Williams and Douglas could be competing for a "speed" receiver role deep down the field. Hollins' versatility and willingness to do the dirty blocking work have endeared him to the coaching staff, and he gives the offense a more physical presence at the WR position. The 23-year-old Williams caught 10 of his 21 targets for 209 yards (20.9 yards per catch) and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after he was taken in the third round in last year's draft out of Washington State. Williams' numbers didn't exactly stand out, but he has long-term appeal as a big-play wideout in dynasty/keeper leagues after averaging 20 yards a catch as a rookie. The volume probably won't be there again for him to matter much in 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026.
Jul 17, 2026 6:02 PM EST
Kyle Williams Faces an Uphill Climb to Fantasy Relevance
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams caught only 10 passes in a disappointing 2025 rookie season. While the elite speed that had fantasy managers excited about his spot on a somewhat pedestrian depth chart allowed him to convert three of those receptions into touchdowns while averaging more than 20 yards per catch, he will need to find more ways to stand out in his second season in a receiver room that suddenly ranks among the most loaded in the league. Trade and free agent acquisitions A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are likely to see the majority of time in two-receiver sets. Behind them, Williams' speed is a standout quality among a diverse supporting group of Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte, who remains on the roster despite being the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason. However, without the play strength to regularly shift inside, the 2025 third-round pick could struggle to find consistent work in an offense that regularly asks its receivers to help out in the run game. Williams has the traits to make him a low-exposure late-round pick in best-ball drafts, but a lack of reliable usage will make him hard to trust in lineup leagues, and he's fallen to WR88 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
Jul 4, 2026 5:25 AM EST
Kyle Williams Buried in a Suddenly Deep Receiver Room
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams showed some noteworthy flashes in his limited usage as a 2025 third-round rookie, and while he has reportedly worked hard to add play strength to his game-breaking speed and an elite release package, he now faces a new barrier to playing time in the form of a revamped and deep receiver room. In trading for three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown and adding Romeo Doubs in free agency, the Patriots have completely transformed a unit that started a season as recently as two years ago with K.J. Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen Reagor atop the depth chart. Kayshon Boutte's future in New England remains uncertain, but with one of the team's leading receivers from 2025 reporting for mandatory minicamp and taking part in team drills, opportunities for Williams could be hard to come by. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has long operated one of the most adaptable systems in the league, so with receiver being a clear strength of the team, and tight end Julian Hill already placed on injured reserve with a serious knee injury, it's entirely possible the Patriots could deploy more three, or even four, receiver sets than initially expected. Even in that scenario, though, Williams would likely find himself in a rotation with Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and potentially still Boutte. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR88, it's difficult to envision any clear path to fantasy relevance in the near future.
Jun 11, 2026 6:37 AM EST
Kyle Williams' Dynasty Value Limited by Uncertain Role in New England
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams struggled to carve out a consistent role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across 17 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 10 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets. Heading into 2026, Williams still projects to be behind Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte on the Patriots' wide receiver depth chart. Boutte's name has come up in trade rumors, which could clear a path for Williams to step in as New England's primary deep-ball threat. However, the Patriots are also widely considered the favorites to land current Philadelphia Eagles superstar wideout A.J. Brown. If Brown does eventually end up in New England, it's difficult to imagine a world where Williams sees a significant playing time increase in his second season. Williams retains some dynasty upside due to his big-play ability, but his overall value is limited by his uncertain role with the Patriots.
Apr 30, 2026 8:08 AM EST
Is Kyle Williams the Latest Patriots Draft Bust at Wide Receiver?
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams was an early third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and despite a history of draft misses at the position, a new regime in Foxborough, along with a far from insurmountable depth chart, helped to create considerable hype around the speedster out of Washington State. And yet, even as quarterback Drake Maye made a colossal year two leap into MVP candidacy, Williams caught only 10 passes as a rookie. In speaking at the NFL owners meeting, head coach Mike Vrabel touched on Williams' speed and release off the line, traits that helped him cash in on several big plays in 2025, but noted that he would need to increase his play strength to stay on the field. Romeo Doubs was added through free agency as a replacement for last season's top pass catcher, Stefon Diggs, and his superior run blocking should make him more of a staple in two-receiver sets, as Diggs was frequently used as part of a rotation, particularly early in the year as he recovered from a 2024 ACL tear. The Patriots are also still linked to Eagles receiver AJ Brown, who many executives believe will be made available for trade after June 1st. With Brown, Doubs, and Williams all profiling primarily as boundary receivers, such an addition could make it difficult for Williams to find the field with any regularity.
Apr 6, 2026 6:01 AM EST
Kyle Williams a Potential Year 2 Breakout Candidate in 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams struggled to emerge as a top pass-catching threat in 2025, but he flashed enough upside to spark significant optimism for his outlook going forward. Specifically, since Year 2 is a common time for wide receivers to break out, dynasty managers should be encouraged by Williams entering 2026. Stuck in a depth role for most of last year, Williams finished the 2025 campaign with 10 catches, 209 yards, and three touchdowns. However, over just the last three weeks of the season, he had eight targets, five catches, 66 yards, and a touchdown, so he was certainly trending in the right direction. New England released Stefon Diggs this offseason and replaced him with Romeo Doubs. Doubs shouldn't take all of Diggs' vacated targets; some of those will be spread around to the other receivers, including Williams. At this point, the third-round pick's biggest obstacle is playing time. New England lacks wide receiver starpower, but it does have a very balanced receiving corps that makes it difficult to command a high dose of targets every week. Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins are the biggest obstacles in Williams' way at this point. However, a strong preseason or training camp could push Williams into the mix to start games and carve out low-end WR3/flex appeal in 2026.
Mar 18, 2026 7:00 AM EST
Kyle Williams Struggles to Emerge as a Rookie
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams flew under the radar for most of his rookie season, catching just 10 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Williams' underproduction wasn't necessarily due to a lack of talent, as the third-round pick has made big plays throughout his college career and early in his NFL career. Rather, he was buried on the depth chart behind players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and even DeMario Douglas. New England doesn't have any impending free agent wide receivers, but Williams still has the potential to climb up the depth chart entering his second season. Year 2 is a common time for young receivers to make a major leap, so we wouldn't be surprised if Williams contributes at a much higher rate in 2026. It's a bit too early to invest in the Washington State product in redraft leagues, but he's a solid, affordable dynasty buy heading into the offseason.
Feb 12, 2026 9:21 AM EST
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