For a moment, Kyle Williams appeared to be doomed, that he would soon be tackled behind the line of scrimmage. The next, the Washington State wide receiver was cruising to the end zone.
WSU was taking on Oregon State this past season, and the Cougars called a screen pass to Williams with the ball on their own 43-yard line. Wazzu quarterback John Mateer threw the pass quickly after the play began, but several opponents were already near Williams as he caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage.
They weren’t fast enough, though. Williams juked out one defender, and with blockers ahead of him, he found a lane upfield. He then outran several OSU players before he found the end zone.
Williams’ explosiveness made him a fun player to watch in college. It could also make him an NFL starter.
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Where Did Kyle Williams Get Picked In The NFL Draft?
Kyle Williams was selected by the New England Patriots with the 69th overall pick in the third round.
What Was Kyle Williams’ 40 Time At The NFL Combine?
Kyle Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. He ranked 13th out of 39 wide receivers who participated.
He also ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.39 seconds, which was fourth of eight wideouts. His vertical jump of 36.5 inches was 18th out of 36 in his position group, while his broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches was 31st out of 33.
Kyle Williams’ Height & Weight
Kyle Williams was measured at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Kyle Williams’ Stats & Highlights
Kyle Williams was at Washington State for just two seasons, but in that short amount of time he caught 20 touchdown passes, which is tied for the sixth-most in WSU history.
Williams’ 14 receiving touchdowns in 2024 was the second-most in a single season in the Cougars’ record books, and his 1,198 yards through the air was the fourth-most. Williams ranked fourth in the FBS for receiving touchdowns and eighth for yards while his 70 receptions tied for 35th.
Williams ended his career with 10 catches for 172 yards – which were both the second-highest totals for a Wazzu player in a bowl game – and a touchdown against Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl. His yards total broke Dez Bryant’s 2008 Holiday Bowl record.
In 2023, his first season at Washington State, Williams caught 61 passes for 843 yards and six touchdowns, all totals which ranked second on the team.
Williams started his collegiate career at UNLV. In 2020, he led the Rebels with 35 catches for 426 yards and two scores. The following year, he totaled 601 yards and two touchdowns on 42 receptions. A season later, his final campaign at UNLV, he recorded 541 yards and five TDs on 40 catches.
Where Is Kyle Williams From?
Kyle Williams’ hometown is Inglewood, California. He played football at St. Monica Catholic High School before going to UNLV.
Kyle Williams’ Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Kyle Williams’ game are comparable to DJ Moore. I’m not going to guarantee Williams will be a Pro Bowler or anything, but the two play in similar ways and have similar frames.
Moore is an excellent route runner, especially on quick passes, and is explosive. Williams clearly is as well.
Williams was 19th in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades among FBS wide receivers who were targeted at least 85 times in 2024. He was also 18th in PFF’s pass routes grades.
Williams can gain yards on designed quick throws like screens and swing passes, as he tied for fourth in the country with 590 yards after catch and was second with 8.4 yards after catch per reception.
But there’s more to his game. His average depth of target was 11.5 yards, which was in the top 50 in the FBS, and his contested catch rate was 62.5%, which was 14th. That’s while dropping just five throws all year. So he can make plays on deep passes even when he’s defended well.
Williams could gain separation on speed alone in college, but he also runs crisp routes. And even for his size, he’s quick and crafty enough to win against press coverage.
Williams is also efficient, as he tied for 12th in the FBS with 2.71 yards per route run. His 69.3% catch rate tied for 21st in the nation, as he hauled in 70 of his 101 targets. His 17.1 yards per reception tied for ninth.
Williams could very easily end up being one of the best players selected on Day 2 of this year’s draft.
