Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots made some serious investments in their wide receiver group this offseason. Besides signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins to multi-year free agency deals, they also selected Kyle Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft and added a bunch of undrafted rookies to further spice things up.
The message sent through those moves was clear. A continuation of the past and its struggles at the position was not in news head coach Mike Vrabel’s plans.
And yet, despite all of the moves and added competition, the old guard continues to play a sizable role within New England’s offense. One part of it is Kayshon Boutte, who continues seeing quality reps with starting quarterback Drake Maye in offense and preseason, and who managed to rise up to the challenge over the last few weeks.
“Really impressed, proud of, happy for the way he’s approached this training camp,” wide receivers coach Todd Downing recently told reporters. “He’s [a] player that in the offseason was kind of figuring a couple of things out about this offense, decided to make a commitment to doing things the right way and the way that we know to be the winning formula. I think you’ve seen the results of that with his play and production.”
Boutte first arrived in New England as a sixth-round draft pick in 2023. Unlike fellow wideout DeMario Douglas, he failed to make any impact as a rookie; he caught just two passes for 19 yards and was effectively redshirted for much of the season.
His 2024 sophomore campaign was a different story. Boutte did start out as a backup option again, but quickly worked his way up the depth chart. He ended the year as New England’s WR1 in several categories including snaps (760) and receiving touchdowns (3), and as Drake Maye’s primary outside receiver caught 43 passes for 589 yards.
Despite the pair developing some solid chemistry, the Patriots’ offseason moves seemingly had the potential to put Boutte on the outs. However, he made sure not to let that happen.
“Just kind of thinking about last season and the little success I had, just wanted to build off that,” Boutte explained earlier this month. “I don’t want to set myself back [by having] these high expectations, so it’s just kind of keeping myself on that path.”
His approach in spite of some challenges — both in the form of added competition and a new-look offense under coordinator Josh McDaniels — left a positive impression on New England’s coaching staff as well. It also was the basis for his prominent role.
“Really, really pleased and happy with the way that he’s been able to handle different roles; he moves around a little bit,” said Downing. “He’s put in extra time and I think it’s showing and something that he’s being rewarded with.”
