The Athletic’s NFL draft analyst, Dane Brugler, ranked the New England Patriots as having the best class out of all of the 2025 NFL draft classes. He also revealed his favorite pick by the Patriots was Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams.
According to Brugler, Williams is a potential go-to target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye who could potentially make up for New England missing on Ladd McConkey in the 2024 draft.
The McConkey miss has been viewed as a massive misstep for Patriots lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf. Instead of drafting the standout Georgia receiver, the Patriots opted to trade down with the Los Angeles Chargers and selected Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk instead.
Polk recorded 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns last season, while McConkey racked up 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Granted, Polk still has room to develop and grow, but the early returns suggest that McConkey might have more upside as a receiver.
Brugler wrote:
“The Patriots drafted four offensive players in the top 100, all of whom project as early starters. I could make a case for any of the four as my favorite of the haul, but I’ll go with Williams because of the impact he’ll bring to the passing game. Josh Downs was Drake Maye’s go-to target during Maye’s best college season, and Williams can become that type of weapon (and help correct New England’s Ladd McConkey miss).”
Williams was viewed as one of the best pure separators in the 2025 draft class. That was one of the biggest struggle areas for the Patriots’ receivers last season.
There’s hope that he can help change things in a major way for the struggling offense.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: NFL analyst thinks Patriots rookie may make up for Ladd McConkey miss
The Athletic’s NFL draft analyst, Dane Brugler, ranked the New England Patriots as having the best class out of all of the 2025 NFL draft classes. He also revealed his favorite pick by the Patriots was Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams.
According to Brugler, Williams is a potential go-to target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye who could potentially make up for New England missing on Ladd McConkey in the 2024 draft.
The McConkey miss has been viewed as a massive misstep for Patriots lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf. Instead of drafting the standout Georgia receiver, the Patriots opted to trade down with the Los Angeles Chargers and selected Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk instead.
Polk recorded 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns last season, while McConkey racked up 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Granted, Polk still has room to develop and grow, but the early returns suggest that McConkey might have more upside as a receiver.
Brugler wrote:
“The Patriots drafted four offensive players in the top 100, all of whom project as early starters. I could make a case for any of the four as my favorite of the haul, but I’ll go with Williams because of the impact he’ll bring to the passing game. Josh Downs was Drake Maye’s go-to target during Maye’s best college season, and Williams can become that type of weapon (and help correct New England’s Ladd McConkey miss).”
Williams was viewed as one of the best pure separators in the 2025 draft class. That was one of the biggest struggle areas for the Patriots’ receivers last season.
There’s hope that he can help change things in a major way for the struggling offense.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: NFL analyst thinks Patriots rookie may make up for Ladd McConkey miss
