The Patriots' offense was largely devoid of playmakers last year, but it did provide some players with opportunities that might not have been available to them otherwise. Veteran tight end Austin Hooper impressed in a secondary role to Hunter Henry, catching the third-most balls on the team and falling just short of 500 yards. Pop Douglas also continued to be a spark, leading the team in catches along with Henry and scoring three touchdowns.
While it wasn't an impressive unit, it was interesting to see some new players come into their own or continue past success. One player who exemplified a breakout more than anyone was Kayshon Boutte. The former LSU player was once considered a potential top-ten selection, but fell to the sixth round after an uninspiring 2022 season. During his first year in New England, he caught just two balls for 19 yards.
Out of necessity more than anything, Boutte's role skyrocketed from depth piece to the starting X receiver in 2024. The 23-year-old recorded 43 catches for 589 yards and a trio of touchdowns last season, and he quickly flipped from a forgotten bottom-of-the-roster player to a rising star.
Now, just a few months after the season, we're hearing trade speculation. But does this make sense?
Trading Kayshon Boutte isn't off the table for the Patriots, but seems presumptuous
Did the Patriots get better at wide receiver this offseason? Absolutely. Stefon Diggs was the marquee addition, Mack Hollins as an experienced depth piece, and Kyle Williams was a very productive college player. Boutte is unlikely to be in the same role he was last season, but a trade seems premature at this point.
Currently, the aforementioned trio of Diggs, Hollins, and Williams are all roster locks. Pop Douglas also fits that bill. Kendrick Bourne, despite a lackluster 2024, also seems likely to have an inside track. Adding Boutte would mean six wideouts on the roster.
The Patriots have historically kept few, but six seems more than reasonable here. Let's look at it case by case. Diggs is coming off an ACL injury. Hollins, although a solid role player, had 49 catches over the last two years. Williams has plenty of potential but has yet to take a snap in the NFL. Kendrick Bourne had just 30 yards a game last season after coming back from his own ACL tear. Although the unit may be pretty solid, it comes with several caveats.
Is Boutte a star? No. But he would make a reliable deep threat in a more limited role. In games where Maye started, he averaged 2.9 catches, compared to 1.8 when Brissett started. There's clearly more goodwill between Maye and Boutte, and giving them another year to further secure that trust would certainly be beneficial. He also ended the season on a high, with 300 yards in his last five games, compared to 289 in his first ten.
To trade Boutte would be to take away Maye's top vertical threat and remove a proven NFL receiver from the fold.
Could a trade involving Boutte make sense midseason when players have established themselves ahead of him? Maybe. But even then, what would the compensation in return be? A sixth or seventh round pick? Perhaps a bottom-of-the-roster candidate from elsewhere? Albeit, these could be fair value if those ahead of him prove they can play, but for the time being, it doesn't make much sense.
Boutte is cheap and a potential starter for the Patriots in 2025 and beyond
The wide out is owed less than three million over the next two years and has shown flashes. Someone of Boutte's value might cost a similar amount, but they would likely have no initial rapport with Maye and would probably be older.
Given his role last season, it isn't unreasonable that he could remain atop the depth chart, though secondary to Diggs. A trio of Diggs, Boutte, and Douglas not only seems reasonable, but also likely to start the season at this point.
All things considered, a move involving Boutte seems to lack much reasoning. Barring a total meltdown or trade request, there isn't much reason for him not to be considered one of the team's top six wideouts. Come September, I'd expect to see him continue to sport the #9 jersey for New England.