The Patriots have a crowded wide receiver room, carrying seven NFL caliber receivers, which means someone has to be the odd man out. As camp goes on, that player, to me, is Kayshon Boutte.
Boutte started camp off hot, making the consensus ‘play of the day’ each of the first three non-walkthrough practices. From that point on, aside from the occasional explosive play, Boutte has not been consistent or a standout.
The LSU product rarely lines up with the top offense, and it feels as if the Patriots are making a conscious effort to try to get Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins in over Boutte. Now, Boutte is taking reps with the starting offense on occasion and has capitalized on a few.
One of which came on a two-minute drill last week, when starting quarterback Drake Maye found him on a back shoulder ball down the left sideline.
The reason for the lack of time spent with the starting offense is simple: A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Both players were brought in this past offseason and play on the boundary. Unlike Boutte, Brown and Doubs can play in the slot and move around the formation.
Boutte, to this point, has only shown to be consistent at winning down the field and on routes based off his ability to do so. You’ll get the occasional catch on a comeback, but it’s based off team’s fearing his deep threat abilities.
An ability which is extremely valuable, but something that Brown can give you. The veteran, once again, can provide everything that Boutte can give you and more, which is why he is a top ten receiver in the NFL and Boutte is not.
As for Doubs, the team has somewhat adapted his role from the start of camp. A guy that was once viewed as a Z receiver has been used more in that traditional X role, as a contested catch player.
Boutte cannot compete with Brown and Doubs for snaps at X and has not shown more than DeMario Douglas or even Mack Hollins to rotate in the slot. That is why I view Boutte as a backup at this point, which is okay for the Patriots, but heading into a contract year, I do not think this is favorable towards the fourth-year pass catcher.
Boutte saw this coming, as he reportedly requested a trade earlier in the off-season, knowing his role was going to decrease. Though Boutte has not been traded, it could be a matter of time before he is on the move.
Injuries to Texans’ Jayden Higgins and Saints’ Jordyn Tyson have caused a need for both squads at the receiver position. I believe those needs could quickly go away if either team offers a day two or early day three pick to the Patriots for Boutte.
In the midst of the trade talks and his uneasy future with the team, the 24-year-old has been out there for every training camp practice and has handled the situation like a professional. Boutte’s position coach, Todd Downing, shares the same sentiment.
“It’s an example I will use for the rest of my coaching career,” Downing told the media. “The way that he has just been a pro and shown up every day, I have a great relationship with Kayshon, and I value that a lot.”
Boutte, when asked about these comments from Downing and how he approached this offseason, admitted he has heard the noise, but also reiterated that he is where his feet are at.
“I think just blocking out the noise, that’s the main thing,” Boutte said. “We all hear the stuff that’s going on and things like that, but like I always said, I’m where I’m at, my feet are here. I’m not worried about what’s next or what’s behind me, but being present.”
While I believe Boutte could play, and be effective in New England this season, I do not think taking a significant cut in snaps is the smart thing for his career.
Boutte has done things in New England that many people could not have imagined after his underwhelming rookie year and sixth-round draft status. For that, he will always be remembered fondly in New England, but it seems, to me, the end of Boutte’s career with the Patriots is nearing.