Morning Sports Update

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky ‘obsessed’ with Patriots rookies, sees potentially ‘impactful’ early success

"There's a chance this organization and team are going to make noise a lot sooner than people expect."

Kyle Williams Patriots rookies 2025
Kyle Williams makes a catch at Patriots training camp. He is part of a contingent of talented rookies in 2025. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe Staff

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

The Patriots’ early-round rookies: The Patriots enter the 2025 season with a new head coach and a largely reshaped roster. This includes some notable draft picks, with the first four selections being used on important offensive positions.

As NFL analysts survey the scene in New England, the early impressions appear to be good (or at least hopeful). This is especially true of the Patriots’ rookies.

“The Patriots’ first three picks, I’m obsessed with them,” said ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky in a recent “NFL Live” segment.

“Will Campbell in the first round, the protection for Drake Maye on the back side. TreVeyon Henderson in the second round at running back, and then Kyle Williams,” said Orlovsky. “I think Kyle Williams has the chance to be as impactful a rookie receiver that we have in the NFL this year.”

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Williams was picked in the third round by the Patriots (69th overall) out of Washington State. He totaled 70 catches for 1,198 receiving yards and a school record 14 touchdowns in 2024, showcasing his capacity to make big plays down the field.

Orlovsky sees the three Patriots rookies as potentially a decisive factor in the team’s forecast in 2025.

“If those three rookies can be big-time players for the Patriots, there’s a chance this organization and team are going to make noise a lot sooner than people expect.”

Trivia: Who is the most recent Patriots player to win either the offensive or defensive Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year Award?

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(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was involved with the team last year, but will not be around this season.

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox defeated the Dodgers 4-3 on Sunday, taking two of three from Los Angeles.

Boston begins a new three-game series against the Twins tonight in Minnesota at 7:40 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Bregman’s thoughts on the Sox win: Alex Bregman discussed the Red Sox getting a series-clinching win over the Dodgers on Sunday.

Vermont heads to the final: Vermont Green FC, the best story right now in New England soccer, is headed to the USL League Two Championship on Saturday after winning the semifinal on Sunday in a penalty kick shootout. The Burlington crowd’s reaction said it all.

On this day: In 2016, ESPN “First Take” co-host Max Kellerman made a now-infamous prediction that Tom Brady’s play on the football field was about to “fall off a cliff.” The prediction was based on Brady’s age, and the usual diminishing of a players’ skills as he entered his 40s.

Brady, then 39, promptly went on to win the Super Bowl that season. And by the time his NFL career finally ended, he had been to three more Super Bowls (winning two of them).

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Kellerman eventually acknowledged that he had been wrong, and that “Tom Brady never fell off a cliff.”

Daily highlight: Ceddanne Rafaela made one of the Red Sox plays of the season on Sunday, catching a line-drive before diving head-first into second base to complete the double play (which was given after a review).

Trivia answer: Jerod Mayo

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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