Jun 5, 2026, 10:26 AM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams enters his second season as an intriguing developmental project who flashed big-play ability in his limited usage as a 2025 third-round pick out of Washington State. While he finished the year with only 209 yards on 10 receptions, most of that production came over the second half of the season, with all three of his touchdowns coming in Weeks 10 through 16. However, with a meaningful reshaping of the Patriots' receiver room, Williams could be back to square one regarding his usage-related struggles. Williams saw 89% of his work on the boundary, but in signing Romeo Doubs to a lucrative multi-year contract and trading for three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, the Patriots have added a pair of significant perimeter players who could dominate snap shares in two-receiver sets. New England utilized 11 personnel on fewer than half of its offensive snaps in 2025 and continued to invest heavily in tight ends and fullbacks this offseason. The implication that Josh McDaniels is preparing to further ramp up his usage of heavy personnel could lead to fewer opportunities for a third receiver and a potential logjam for Williams, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas. Williams' speed and ability to separate off the line are evident, and part of what made him a Day 2 selection, but barring injuries, he projects more as a situational deep threat than a dependable fantasy option in his second season. While he's still a player worth monitoring in dynasty formats, his redraft appeal is almost non-existent as RotoBaller's WR117.--Patrick McGrath