Although the Patriots had not yet acquired receiver A.J. Brown from the Eagles, they made fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte available in the lead-up to the draft in April. While a deal has not occurred, Boutte’s status in New England has remained in question. Now that Brown is on the roster, having joined the team in a trade on Monday, it looks like a strong possibility the Patriots will ship out Boutte before the season.
For his part, Boutte has been interested in a trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on his podcast on Tuesday. A summer deal involving Boutte may be something to watch for, according to Schefter. Albert Breer of SI.com reported last month that the Patriots would likely take a fifth- or sixth-round pick in return for Boutte, who has not attended voluntary OTAs.
Boutte has been a member of the Pats since they chose him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. The former LSU Tiger got off to a slow start in a five-game, two-catch rookie season, but he has taken on a much bigger role in the Patriots’ offense since then.
Over 15 games and 13 starts in 2024, quarterback Drake Maye‘s rookie campaign, Boutte caught 43 of 68 targets for 589 yards (13.7 YPC) and three touchdowns. Although Boutte missed three more games last year, he made 10 starts for the AFC champions and hauled in 33 of 46 targets for 551 yards. He set career bests in yards per catch (16.6), TDs (six) and drop percentage (2.2). Maye, who was the MVP runner-up, recorded a 133.1 passer rating when he targeted Boutte.
Now that Brown is in the fold, the Patriots have something of a logjam at receiver, which could seal Boutte’s fate. Brown and big-money free agent signing Romeo Doubs are locked in as starters. Mack Hollins (who led Patriots receivers in snaps last year), DeMario Douglas, second-year man Kyle Williams and Efton Chism are also in the fold. Like Boutte, Douglas does not look like a lock to remain in New England. He could be fighting Chism for a roster spot.
In the event the Patriots find a taker for Boutte, he could at least give an acquiring team an affordable stopgap. Boutte is entering the last season of his rookie contract and due a $3.67MM salary. Another club could extend Boutte, which seems unlikely to happen in New England with the expensive Brown-Doubs duo on the books.
Raiders, Chiefs, and Commanders stand out to me as potential fits.
Lmao beat me to it. Perfect fit for commanders
For a fifth or especially a sixth, this seems like a good move for any team needing a WR.
Completion percentage is uninspiring. EZ PASS on this guy.
Hard pass, Raiders.
Boutte would actually fit the Raiders very well. Bech and Nailor are slot guys, and Bowers operates as a slot. Tucker is decent but another outside guy would be beneficial, especially in a bigger frame than Tucker.
Theyre going to have to play slot guys outside to get snaps, but they definitely could use an upgrade on outside guys.
Anybody giving up more than a sixth round pick for him is crazy.
I get he’s talented but he’s never had a 600+ yard receiving season to date!
Neither has Dontayvion Wicks and he fetched a 5 and a 6.
You realize that only happened because of his former coach, right?
I think we overpaid for him as well but the situations are not remotely comparable.
Situations are absolutely comparable. Similar level of draft selections, similar level of production, and both 1 year left on their deal. The two situations are very similar, which is the reason for the Wicks comparison.
Boutte may not go for the same, but the situations are very comparable.
You’re really not understanding what I’m saying.
They very well might be similar players but the situations are not at all comparable.
You nailed it rd42!
Similar contract situation
Similar levels of productions
Similar levels of initial investment and draft compensation to acquire
Similar reasons their teams consider trading both,
Packers GM pointed to the teams depth and unlikelihood they’d sign him long term
After acquiring Brown the Patriots have
Brown, Doubs, former 2nd rounder Douglas, former 3rd rounder l, Mack Hollins, and could resigns Diggs who’s still a free agent if they choose to do so.
Not really sticking up for Boutte, but (lol) He’s played 3 years in the league and hasn’t passed 600 yards is your barometer? Do you not remember the poop-show he had to deal with before 2025? He had Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and a Rookie Drake Maye at QB (before last season), multiple head coaches/systems in all 3 seasons and you narrow it all down to ‘never had a 600+ yard season”?
Surprised it would only take a 5 or 6 to get him.
Not saying day 2 or anything. But Dontayvion Wicks got a 5 AND a 6 in trade. A 4th by itself or a 5 and 6th seems reasonable. If theyre only asking for a 5 or 6, surprised there arent a lot of suitors for him.
Felt like bro couldn’t separate and get open, if someone offers a 5th, you take it and run