New England Patriots - NESN.com
The 2025 NFL regular season is finally here, with the New England Patriots preparing for a Week 1 battle against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. There will be some surprises, surely, and Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton thinks he knows what one of them will be for the Patriots.
In a new piece released Thursday identifying the “Biggest Sleepers” for fantasy football Week 1, Moton identified a 23-year-old Patriots wideout as the biggest sleeper at the receiver position in the entire league for this weekend … and perhaps beyond.
“While Stefon Diggs has drawn offseason attention, Kayshon Boutte may be the New England Patriots’ hidden gem at wide receiver for the first few weeks of the season,” Moton wrote.
“Diggs will suit up against the Las Vegas Raiders, but keep in mind he’s coming off a torn ACL and hasn’t played in a game since last October. Boutte turned heads in training camp, with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe calling his improvement “stunning.” In 2024, Boutte made strides, hauling in 43 passes for 589 yards and three touchdowns. If he’s strengthened his rapport with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, the third-year receiver could be a consistent threat in the passing game.”
“The Patriots’ pass-catchers also get a favorable matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders’ mostly inexperienced secondary,” Moton continued. “Eric Stokes, who has 32 starts in four seasons, is the most battle-tested among the Raiders cornerbacks and may draw an assignment against Diggs. Boutte could line up against a number of defenders as head coach Pete Carroll rotates his options at the No. 2 cornerback position. Boutte has upside and an intriguing season-long outlook.”
It sounds like Carroll and the Raiders would be wise not to overlook Boutte.
If the LSU product is as dangerous in 2025 as Moton suggests he can be, Drake Maye and New England’s aerial attack might be even better than people expect.
