3 reasons the Patriots drafted Kyle Williams: HR hitter who can torch man coverage

FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots drafted Kyle Williams early in the third round, selecting the wide receiver from Washington State at No. 69 overall.

A 5-foot-10, 190-pounder that runs a 4.40 second 40-yard dash, Williams is coming off a strong senior year for the Cougars and came to Foxborough on a Top 30 visit earlier this spring.

So why did the Patriots take Williams in the third round?

Here are three reasons why:

1. Patriots need help at receiver

New England didn’t get nearly enough production from their receiver last season, particularly at the “X” position. Kayshon Boutte manned that spot for most of the year and finished with 43 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns; he averaged less than 3 catches and 40 yards per game.

Williams is capable of helping there.

Though he aligned all over the place at Washington State, Williams spent most of his time at X — he was wide 74% of the time — and proved very productive. As a senior, Williams caught 70 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns, getting great separation downfield.

“Williams will never be tabbed as ‘sure-handed’ but he can separate deep and create big plays, which could make the catch issues easier to swallow,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He eliminates pursuit angles as a catch-and-run artist and gets respectful cushions, allowing for easy comeback throws.”

1. Williams is a HR hitter that can beat man coverage

The Patriots were starved for big plays a season ago.

In addition to the aforementioned 14 touchdowns at Washington State last year, Williams had a reception of 30+ yards in nine games for the Cougars. He was an explosive play threat at all times.

"He did it against quality competition. He’s good against everybody. The kid can fly,“ Mel Kiper Jr. said on the ESPN broadcast. ”He is outstanding with the ball in his hands after the catch. He can go deep. He can beat you in the middle of the field. He’s a really good route runner. This kid is electrifying."

Williams is terrific at beating man coverage.

His nine touchdowns against man coverage were the most in the entire nation, per PFF, and his 505 receiving yards were the third most.

1. Strong character recommendation

It’s clear that Mike Vrabel is trying to forge a culture with his first draft class in Foxborough. Before the first round got underway, Vrabel had a message to season ticket holders at New England’s draft party.

“I know you will be proud of our identity, that you will look out there and say ‘that’s our football team,’” Vrabel said.

His first pick was Will Campbell, who had promptly said he’d die to protect Drake Maye, and in the second round Vrabel chose TreVeyon Henderson, one of the best blocking backs in years and a leader on the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

With Williams, it’s more of the same.

“NFL scouts gave strong character feedback based on how teammates felt about him,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote.

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