Kyle Williams is one of the shiniest pieces of a restructured wide receiver room in New England.

A third-round pick by the Patriots in April’s draft, the Washington State product has taken to applying a specific thought process at the point of the catch during the team’s offseason program.

“My mindset is don’t drop the money,” Williams said Thursday during a youth football clinic, per WEEI’s Meghan Ottolini. “Every time the ball is there, that’s a bag of money, we can’t let that hit the floor because [then] that’s somebody else’s. So, just being able to make those plays, showing I can compete against those top-tier guys in the league.”

No matter how Williams approaches piling up receptions, the Pats are in dire need of establishing a few money receivers to help second-year quarterback Drake Maye take another step.

New England hasn’t enjoyed a 1,000-yard pass-catcher since Julian Edelman during the 2019 season. Demario Douglas has been the most successful WR in town recently; he led the position group in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, but that distinction only required 561 yards in 2023, and his 621 yards in 2024 trailed tight end Hunter Henry’s 674.

The dearth of true difference-making options at wideout led the Patriots to reshuffle the deck this offseason. Douglas remains, along with Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk, but New England took efforts to sign four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, both of whom are familiar to the team thanks to playing previously for the rival Bills.

Williams must still prove he’s deserving of seeing snaps over those sharing the room, but he’s well capable of doing so. He amassed 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns on 70 receptions during his senior year with the Cougars. Though he’s just 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Williams is a dynamic weapon, possessing 4.4 speed and a tenacious attitude for football.

Whenever he has the opportunity in upcoming practices, he’ll also benefit from workshopping the more unpolished aspects of his game — such as route-running — against prime competition like cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

“It makes me excited because Gonzo, I think it’s an iron sharpens iron thing, so going against Gonzo is gonna help me,” Williams said.

The opportunity is all out in front of him.