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Playing wide receiver in the NFL is a different challenge than it was in college — something the New England Patriots know well as they evaluate their options this offseason.
While the team is expected to look outside the building for pass-catching help this offseason, there is also belief that improvements at the position could come from internal development.
“Once they get out there in the training camp, they realize that this isn’t combine training and coverages change and things that look like man coverage now become zone coverage and things that are zone coverage now become match coverage and you know, there’s just a lot of volume for that particular position,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday at the NFL Combine.
“And so I’m excited to see where guys like Kyle Williams go from year one to year two, and just his development and his growth mentally and physically.”
Joining a crowded depth chart full of veterans, it was a quiet rookie season for Williams. The receiver played just 31 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and finished the regular season with just 10 receptions.
He made them count, however, averaging over 20 yards per receptions and scoring three touchdowns — all over 30 yards. That big play ability has left the arrow pointing up entering his sophomore season.
“I just know I’m excited about seeing where he goes from Year 1 to Year 2,” Vrabel said. “Made some fantastic plays. Ability to adjust down the field on the deep ball. Has got really good release skills. We saw what the crossing route was against Tampa Bay and the ability to create an X-play that was maybe a 10- or 12-yard pass.
“I’m not going to sit there and say ‘these guys are going to be a No. 1 receiver or edge rusher.’ We’re just excited that he’s with us and what he showed us. His attitude was fantastic. We’ll have to help him get to reach his potential.”
Following the season, Williams acknowledged the need to improve his play strength in addition to working on the top of his routes.
Those improvements could help the 23-year-old reach that potential, where he could become a more consistent big-play threat and a trusted weapon for quarterback Drake Maye as the Patriots look to keep improving their offense.
“He was available, and the way we used him was this more of a speed player, which he definitely has, but I think he’s got more in him that he could show,” Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said. “He’s got to get stronger. I think he’d be the first one to tell you that. But, the fact that he was able to play in all 21 games for us was a testament to his ability to be available.”