FOXBORO — Kyle Williams’ usage this summer suggests he could be a surprise Patriots roster cut.
Mike Vrabel’s comments on the matter say otherwise.
New England’s head coach was asked Friday about Williams’ place in the team’s wide receiver hierarchy. The 2025 third-round draft pick [has looked like the Patriots’ WR7](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/08/06/patriots-projected-depth-chart-reset-undrafted-free-agents-on-the-rise/) in training camp and has seen minimal reps with starting quarterback Drake Maye.
Despite Williams’ modest role thus far, Vrabel stressed that he, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and receivers coach Todd Downing plan to find ways to put the ball in the speedy wideout’s hands this season.
“I really, really know that Kyle is going to help us,” Vrabel said. “His speed is going to help us. And I don’t want to use this and get this to be overblown, and I’m going to use the word ‘scheme’ or – he’s got a skill set, right? We’re going to find ways to get him the ball, and it may be outside of just the normal installation plays. But that’s my responsibility, that’s Josh’s responsibility, that’s Todd’s responsibility, to put him in those positions where we see the speed that showed up last year.”
Williams caught 10 passes on 21 targets for 209 yards as a rookie, with the vast majority of his production coming on three big-play touchdowns. The Washington State product worked this offseason to become a [more physical and versatile pass-catcher](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/07/28/young-patriots-wideout-reacts-to-lack-of-training-camp-reps-out-of-my-control/), and the Patriots have shown more willingness to utilize him as a ball-carrier, as well.
After carrying just twice for 3 yards in 17 games last season, Williams has taken a handful of jet sweeps and end-arounds in camp.
“I know that he is going to be a large part of what we’re going to do, and those opportunities will continue to come,” Vrabel said. “His release skills, his speed, his vertical speed, those are all things that we have to continue to take advantage of as we progress. And it’s a great room. It’s a good, competitive room. And by competing and getting out there every single day, those will, by nature, increase his opportunities.”
A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism all appear to be above Williams on the depth chart. He has plenty of time to climb that ladder — New England will play its first of three preseason games next Thursday — but barring an injury or trade, the Patriots would need to be willing to roster seven receivers to keep all of those players. Most teams carry five or six.
Asked whether the Patriots would consider that path, Vrabel replied: “Sure. Yeah.”
“All we have to do is figure out the best way to keep guys that are going to help us win, that have roles on this team and that help us win,” he said. “That’s our job — that’s me, Eliot (Wolf), Ryan (Cowden) and Stretch (John Streicher), and everybody’s job is to try to find ways to keep the guys that give us the best chance to win, however that may be.”
Williams caught one pass from Maye during Friday’s split-squad scrimmage. He’ll have a chance to boost his stock when the Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts for a joint practice next Tuesday.