Only one week into the regular season, the Patriots are already feeling the effects of trading wide receiver Kayshon Boutte last month. The decision reportedly came because of a jam-packed receiver room and Boutte's perceived value, which brought the Patriots a young safety and a seventh-round pick.
Although he has established himself as a clear threat on the field since he was drafted in 2023, Boutte couldn't convince his coaches he deserved a spot on the 2026 roster, and he is now hoping to shine with the Texans.
It's a move that is already biting New England, with A.J. Brown suffering an injury against the Seahawks last week. They could easily use Boutte's production over the next four to six weeks. But instead, he will make C.J. Stroud's life a bit easier in Houston.
That wasn't the case in Week 1, when he was targeted only twice against the Bills and caught one for 21 yards. It was far from the big game most expected for the 24-year-old, but it was only the first week of the season. And now, based on the recent update on Nico Collins, their top receiver, it looks like this week might be when we see Boutte explode in the AFC South.
Nico Collins' injury opens the door for former Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte to explode on the scene
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Collins suffered an injury in the season opener, and while it's not considered to be serious, his status for this weekend's game against the Bengals is "in jeopardy."
Because he's quickly become Stroud's favorite target besides tight end Dalton Schultz, Boutte could fill the void if Collins misses this weekend's game. It's a perfect opportunity to prove why the team pursued a trade for him, while also showing the Patriots exactly what they're missing.
A standout game against another AFC frontrunner could put Boutte on the map for the Texans and move him up the depth chart, even after Collins returns.
It wouldn't only help him establish an integral role on the offense moving forward, but an impressive showing could also earn him an extension from the Texans or make him a valuable option for receiver-needy teams to target in free agency next spring.
That, coupled with being traded despite how good he became for the Patriots, will almost certainly motivate Boutte to have the best season he can. There's plenty of room for it to become the best season of his career so far, and that would be even more devastating for New England, who could really use his help right now.
If that's what happens, the Texans surely got a steal in this trade, and it could continue to haunt the Patriots for years to come.
So while it'll be tough for Patriots fans to watch, it would be good to see Boutte establish that kind of reputation across the league after putting together an impressive start to his career, in and out of New England.
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