The Patriots took a calculated approach on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, using both of their third-round picks to continue to inject talent into the offense after adding tackle Will Campbell in the first round and running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round.
At No. 69 overall, they grabbed wide receiver Kyle Williams from Washington State, and with pick No. 95, they followed that up by selecting center Jared Wilson out of Georgia. Both third-round additions address clear needs and bring upside that could pay off sooner rather than later.
If there's one thing this Patriots offense has needed, it's speed and separation at wide receiver. Washington State's Kyle Williams offers both.
After starting his college career at UNLV, Williams transferred to Washington State and immediately made an impact. Over his two seasons with the Cougars, he totaled 2,040 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, capped off by a record-setting Holiday Bowl performance where he torched Syracuse for 172 yards.
Williams clocked a 4.40 40-yard dash at the Combine, showing the kind of burst that can stretch defenses vertically. He's quick off the line and has a natural feel for tracking deep balls. He's not the biggest receiver, but he's elusive and sudden, with enough speed to back off defenders and open up space underneath.
This is a Patriots offense that now features veteran receivers like Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, and Williams offers big-play upside as a player who can make something happen after the catch. He should quickly enter the receiver rotation, especially with a quarterback in Drake Maye, who'll benefit from some easy separation reads.
Along the offensive line, the pick of Jared Wilson makes a ton of sense. Wilson was Georgia's starting center in 2024 and graded out as one of the best pass protectors in the country, leading the nation in PFF's pass-blocking grade for true pass sets.
Wilson lit up the combine with a 4.84 40-yard dash—the fastest among centers—and posted a staggering 9.98 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), ranking him second among over 600 centers dating back to 1987. He's not just athletic on paper either—on tape, he moves fluidly, reaches linebackers with ease, and rarely looks overmatched in pass pro.
Wilson might not start right away, but he's a high-upside depth piece who could grow into a starting role sooner than later. His intelligence and mobility make him a strong fit for the Patriots' system, and he's already shown the ability to handle complex defensive looks with poise.
With a bit of seasoning, Wilson could be the long-term solution at center—and in the meantime, he'll raise the floor of the offensive line room.
Both of these third-round selections look like smart, strategic additions. Williams gives the Patriots something they've lacked—speed and explosiveness at wideout—while Jared Wilson adds athleticism and intelligence to a line that's been in transition.
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