FOXBOROUGH – Kyle Williams is the only receiver on the roster who hasn’t prospered with Drake Maye throwing dimes all over the lot.
The rookie wideout, a third round pick, was highly touted coming out of Washington State. He just hasn’t been able to get his footing, and make plays.
Wide receivers coach Todd Downing says it’s just a matter of time. He continues to pump up Williams, and convey faith the rookie will eventually shine.
“Part of what attracted us to Kyle was his attitude and his approach to the game,” Downing said. “Every day he comes into this building with a bright smile on his face and a hard-working attitude.
“What I have tried to instill in him, and his confidence is that it is going to come, and it is going to turn someday.”
It’s been tough for Williams to crack the lineup, given how well Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Mack Hollins are playing.
He hasn’t had a ton of snaps, and when he’s on the field, can’t connect with Maye. In eight games, Williams has only managed two catches for 20 yards.
“Kyle’s in a roomful of talented players. There’s some guys who are ahead of him on the depth chart that aren’t giving him room to breath right now,” Downing said. “That’s as much to do with his situation as anything else.
“He’s working hard, he’s getting better. I’ve been challenging him to continue to strive for consistency, and all the little details. But I like the trajectory he’s on. It’s not showing with a ton of reps and a ton of production right now. But I’m very confident where he’s at.”
Downing said he uses examples of guys in the room who have gone through droughts, and eventually turned it around to encourage Williams.
“Pop went a little stretch where he didn’t have a ton of production. Then he has a big game in New Orleans that could have been even bigger,” Downing said. “Kayshon went a couple games without a bunch of production. Now he’s making plays. I try to use those guys to Kyle and say ‘Hey, your time is going to come.’
“There’s going to be some point in the season where he’s called on for a bigger role. Who knows when that is, but I’m confident he’ll be ready when that happens.”
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