The case for Patriots keeping Kayshon Boutte
The case for Patriots keeping Kayshon Boutte originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston The story of the Patriots’ offseason has clearly been the addition of A.J. Brown . The offshoot of that significant addition to the wide receiver room has been that the odd man out, seemingly by necessity, is Kayshon Boutte . It became an issue — of sorts — when Boutte skipped the voluntary portion of the Patriots’ offseason program before ultimately reporting for mandatory minicamp. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind being here. I do want to be here, obviously,” Boutte said at minicamp in early June. “Whether that’s X, Z, F, just whatever I gotta do that’s best for me. So whether it’s learning the playbook more or moving around, I mean, there’s only one football. There’s five of us, you know? It’s football at the end of the day. You don’t know who it’s going to.” For the most part, Boutte has said the right thing, though “ I wouldn’t mind being here ” might be the slightly more honest version of his sentiment. The reality is, as Boutte enters the final year of his rookie deal after back-to-back productive seasons, he has more on the line personally than most of his teammates in 2026. Finding a way to land on a team with a weak wide receiver depth chart — Las Vegas and Miami come to mind — would be the best way to set some career highs and cash in as a free agent next offseason. And with a depth chart that includes Brown, free agent-signee Romeo Doubs , the reliable Mack Hollins , 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams , and dueling slot options Efton Chism and DeMario Douglas , the Patriots’ front office and coaching staff is likely somewhat sympathetic to Boutte’s case. Realistically, it’s impossible to envision Boutte getting the 3.75 targets per game that he was given last year before his hamstring injury, which will obviously cut into his production, which will obviously lower his value on the market next year. Boutte, though, declared publicly that the situation is not altogether unique for this season. “It’s been getting crowded every year. We find ourselves at the same position at the beginning of every season, every offseason,” he said. “But I mean, at the end of the day, you still gotta come to training camp and fight. No spot is given, no matter who it is. … Still gotta come out and perform.” Remaining in New England may not be ideal for Boutte, but as long as the 24-year-old remains committed to the program, it would be the best outcome for the Patriots. Here’s why. A.J. Brown is, obviously, a bona fide No. 1. ESPN’s polling of scouts/coaches/executives confirmed that this week when he was listed at No. 9, ahead of heavy hitters like Davante Adams , Mike Evans , Zay Flowers , Drake London , Jameson Williams , Alec Pierce , Tee Higgins , DK Metcalf , Terry McLaurin , Garrett Wilson , DeVonta Smith , Jaylen Waddle , Chris Olave and Brian Thomas Jr. Lest there be any doubt, Brown is a clear-cut No. 1 who can run every route on the tree, even if he may have lost a step on his go routes. Doubs, though, is interesting, as he’s most likely to be utilized running short and intermediate routes, getting open over the middle. In some ways, that will make Hollins’ skills a bit redundant. And though we’ve been conditioned in New England over the past 25 years to believe that a shifty, undersized slot receiver is a requirement for all NFL offenses, Boutte presents an explosive-play potential that neither Douglas nor Chism could provide. Of all the reasons for the Patriots to trade away Boutte, his blocking of Kyle Williams on the depth chart might be the least valid. Would the Patriots love it if Williams were able to shake off a truly miserable rookie season and become a contributing member of the offense? Of course. Does Williams flash some tantalizing physical tools that can make you think he just needs a few more opportunities to put it all together? Sure. No doubt. (Remember the catch at the front pylon in Baltimore ? Or the lightning [... truncated ...]