APRIL 22: It does appear Boutte is available. New England is seeking a third-day pick for the fourth-year wideout, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes. He and Brown’s positional overlap — as “X” receivers, primarily — may be a factor here, but if/when the Pats pull off that trade, the AFC champs’ wideout room will be crowded. Though, the Pats and Eagles are not in lockstep on Brown’s value entering draft weekend. That could delay proceedings for a while.
APRIL 21: The fourth-year wide receiver is not at the Patriots’ facility for the start of offseason workouts, Mike Vrabel confirmed Tuesday (via Schultz). While the sides have been in communication, a potential parting will be something to monitor as the draft nears.
APRIL 20: Kayshon Boutte has been a productive Patriots pass catcher for two seasons, eclipsing 500 receiving yards in each. He played a key role for New England’s 2025 AFC champion edition.
The Pats made a major adjustment at receiver last month, cutting Stefon Diggs and effectively replacing him with Romeo Doubs. Close connections to A.J. Brown have also been steady this offseason. Philadelphia trading the mercurial wideout to New England after June 1 has been a regularly rumored scenario.
Brown joining Doubs as offseason WR arrivals could lead to more changes, and the Patriots’ upcoming draft may impact holdovers as well. One season remains on both Boutte and DeMario Douglas‘ rookie contracts. Both Bill Belichick-era pickups are due for free agency in March 2027. It appears the Pats are open to moving Boutte, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes. Boutte voiced frustration about his role in 2024 but did not generate a similar headline during a far more successful Pats season in 2025.
Around this time last year, Schultz floated Boutte’s name in trade rumors. Nothing came of it, and the former sixth-round pick tallied 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns to help Drake Maye to MVP runner-up status. Missing three games, Boutte outproduced Douglas’ 17-game output: 31 catches, 447 yards, three TDs.
Mack Hollins‘ two-year contract runs through the 2026 season, and the former Josh McDaniels Raiders charge played well (46/550/2 in 15 games) in his Patriots debut. Hollins, Douglas and Boutte would be vying for auxiliary roles if Brown is indeed Foxborough-bound. The Patriots also used a 2025 third-round pick in Kyle Williams, creating a logjam in the event Brown is indeed acquired. It would stand to reason the team would explore moving one of its young pieces before the draft, allowing for an immediate asset to come back.
Boutte, 24 in May, would stand to carry slightly more trade value compared to Douglas, who turned 25 in December. A scenario where both players remain on the roster alongside Williams and Hollins behind regulars Brown and Doubs may be difficult to envision. A Boutte trade also would further fuel speculation a Pats-Eagles summer WR swap is imminent.
2nd or better please.
For a #3 WR?
A guy who would be a WR3 for most teams on an expiring contract isn’t returning a 2nd and definitely not more.
Straight up for Kenny Moore?
Maybe he’s part of the AJ Brown deal?
Could be. Or maybe to colts for Kenny Moore and day 3 pick swaps. Pats need complimentary corners
Boutte did deliver on all the potential that we saw this year. He’d be a great long term piece for NE, but if they’re intent on Brown, I suppose that Boutte is a valuable asset, given his age and physical traits. He’s not especially big, but he’s not small, and can play outside of need be, albeit more in the deep middle in that role than on the sideline. That said, he did make some quality sideline catches last year to show off that talent.
Thing is to me, though, is that Broen is also 29 (or soon to be). He’d still be a great weapon for NE, but why not retain Boutte as a young successor to work alongside Brown? Both can offer legitimate threats out wide, and Boutte is young and (hopefully) ascending. Collins is a decent utility player with size and a great work ethic, but he’s not a #2 volume receiver. Douglas (or Williams) probably works better in the slot. I feel like Boutte could build this momentum into a #2 role that could develop alongside Brown if he is indeed acquired. After all, Boutte is only 23. He’d fetch a good pick for sure, but I’d consider keeping him over the 25 year old Pop Douglas, and in addition to the 5’8” Kyle Williams.
Of course, this is all not discounting the Doubs addition as a (presumptive) number two. After all, we are still making assumptions here in regards to the 29 year old Brown. Boutte could still be a valuable asset that further develops, but it’s worth considering keeping him on to try to push into that role due to his age. He’s still a great trade piece, but he could work either inside or outside to get a dangerous array of pass catchers on the field.
At the end of the day, I still see Boutte being traded. It’s just something to consider. I also don’t think that it’s a given that Kyle Williams ends up better than him, but he’s still on a rookie deal, so there’s plenty of time. It’s a smart move to trade Boutte, but I don’t think that NE necessarily has to rush to do it. After all, a good year could net them valuable production as a contender and a potential compensatory pick-one that might be as good as the late pick Boutte is currently expected to receive.
I agree with most of this. Boutte would be a great WR2A next to the aging Brown, with Hollins (WR3) and Doubs (WR2B) in the wings. I’d like to see them hold onto, and caress, Boutte. I’d rather see Douglas go, and Williams take his spot.
I agree with this, even if I don’t think that it will ultimately occur.
Hes not going to fetch anything spectacular. Hes a WR3 at best. Youre looking at a floor of 3/36 next off season(Jalen Nailor). Thats a lot to pay a wr3, especially if youre paying Brown and Doubs. Not to mention Wicks got a deal for $12.5 for 1 year.
They MIGHT be able to get a 4 this year, based on the Wicks trade(5 this year + a 6 in ’27).
If the Patriots thought he was going to havw a bigger breakout, theyd be working on an extension now to try and get a deal on him. Bjt we are hearing nothing on that front.
“WR3 at best” is very much undervaluing him. He’s got all the talent in the world. Talent doesn’t always lead to results on the field, but he’s shown flashes.
His ceiling is WR1. His realistic is WR2a/WR2b. His floor is WR3.
I tend to lean more toward agreeing with rd42’s assessment. WR2a is not realistic for most teams (maybe all teams after the draft except Miami). He’s almost assuredly a team’s #3, but his floor is not that because he would wash out in some WR rooms and just be depth. He has a lot of talent, but it’s hard to say he’s a WR2a when he’s barely outproducing Douglas.
As the days pass, sounds like Vrable is available in a trade to….lol
How his wife hasn’t just cut him is insane