Kyle

Williams

The electric rookie made the most of his lone target, reeling in a 33-yard dime from Drake Maye on an over-the-shoulder catch down the sideline in the end zone to extend the team’s lead to 24-7. It was not the first time the downfield threat made a big play, but also highlights his status as a boom-or-bust fantasy asset unless there is an injury ahead of him on the depth chart.

Jennings will give it a go as the Patriots’ short-yardage back, though he is tough to trust as more than a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The Patriots declared DT Joshua Farmer, G Caedan Wallace, QB Tommy DeVito, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Christian Elliss, TE Austin Hooper and WR Kayshon Boutte inactive for Week 11 against the Jets. Stevenson will miss his third straight game with a toe injury, while Boutte will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Last week, rookie WR Kyle Williams scored a 72-yard touchdown by catching one of his two targets. He should be rostered where available, but he makes for a zero-floor, boom-bust FLEX starter this week.

Promised a “greater opportunity” by coach Mike Vrabel, Williams still drew only two targets as he finished the afternoon sitting on three career catches, but his grab was a game-changing, 72-yard score. Cutting across the field on play-action, Williams got a step on the defender, Drake Maye didn’t miss the pass, and the wideout was off to the races. Scintillating stuff, but this is a “spread-the-wealth” passing attack that attempts to limit Maye’s overall volume. Williams is worth an add if you are a truly desperate 12-team league player, but make no mistake that’s what it would be: Desperation. A short-week Thursday night matchup with the Jets awaits for Week 11.

It’s unclear whether Vrabel is advocating for Williams getting more of a role in the absence of Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) or just in general, but Williams saw a season-high 31 offensive snaps against the Falcons in Week 9. Williams has just two catches all season and does not need to be pre-emptively picked up based on this news, but he’s someone to monitor down the stretch.

Williams’ lone look came in the mostly meaningless final minute. Not great considering that Drake Maye attempted 46 throws. The Pats could need their third-round rookie sooner rather than later, but he’s not looking worth a 12-team roster hold ahead of Week 2 against the Dolphins.

Williams, 22, took a hard hit to the head during the Week 3 preseason tilt against the Giants. The third-round pick is expected to eventually have a significant role in the Patriots’ offense in 2025, though he figures to have to climb his way into it, likely over Mack Hollins outside.

It goes without saying that the rookie third-rounder can work his way up the depth chart as the season goes on, but any dynasty leaguers hoping for an early payoff will likely have to wait. Reiss projects Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas to open the season as the Patriots’ top three receiver, leaving Williams on the outside looking in. Williams shouldn’t be on redraft radars at this point.

Williams took first-team reps along with Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. Among the bunch, Williams is the only one who earned a target, though he did so with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. Williams shook his defender at the Commanders’ five-yard line but Dobbs’ throw was late. Williams, Hollins and Boutte are still jockeying for position on the Patriots’ depth chart.

Douglas has been a reliable slot receiver for the Patriots over the past two seasons and Diggs was New England’s marquee signing in free agency. Their spots in the pecking order for targets are largely unquestioned. Boutte is the most interesting name of the trio. The former sixth-round pick barely played as a rookie in 2023 but emerged in his second season with 43 catches for 589 yards and three scores. He played over 70 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in every game from Week 6 onward last year. As Reiss notes, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams have also been mixing in for the WR3 spot. The winner of this camp battle could have some marginal fantasy value in deep leagues. However, the most likely outcome is a rotation after Diggs and Douglas.

Reiss writes, “there was a moment late last week in practice when the Patriots split into two distinct groups.” The starters, Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, huddled together on one side while the top three reserves, Williams, Bourne and Chism, stood at the other. Drake Maye notably said Williams is “looking good” after Williams "[snared] a laser of a throw on a comeback route against” CB Christian Gonzalez. Both rookies are currently in good spots, though Williams surely aims for a starting role and Chism has not yet locked up a roster spot. Mack Hollins remains on the active/PUP list with an undisclosed injury. His return could shake things up a bit, though Bourne’s best days are behind him. Stay tuned.