5 receivers the Patriots could have drafted instead of Kayshon Boutte

Not every draft pick is an immediate success. But if they were worth spending a draft pick on, you’d hope they would play some role in the season. Boutte’s role in this Patriots’ season was minimal, to say the least. He did miss three games with injuries, but even when he was healthy, he never found his feet in an offense that desperately needed a spark. 

He saw four targets in Week 1 but didn’t catch any of them. And he was only targeted in 2 more games. He ended his season with two catches from 7 targets for 19 yards. Although he did catch all 4 of his targets in preseason for 56 yards. In truth, he just never looked confident in his body.

His injury history could explain that, but he suffered his significant ankle injury in October 2021. He needed two separate surgeries to repair it, but if he is still having issues with it, the Patriots may have wasted a pick. 

Boutte was selected in the 6th round when there were plenty of other receivers left on the board. Who else could the Patriots have taken with the 187th pick? 

Players the Patriots could have drafted over Kayshon Boutte

Trey Palmer 

Palmer fell to the Buccaneers with the 191st pick. They took him four picks after the Patriots selected Boutte. And boy, did they ever have different rookie seasons.

The Nebraska product saw 68 targets, which is impressive when you’re on the same depth chart as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and a 6-year NFL veteran, David Moore. 

Palmer caught 39 of his targets and averaged 9.87 yards per catch in the regular season. He’s also caught three touchdowns and could be poised to have an impact on the Buccaneers Super Wildcard Weekend game against a lackadaisical Eagles pass defense.