Kayshon Boutte faced whispers he might be the odd man out in the Patriots’ crowded wide receiver room after the team courted A.J. Brown in a trade. Boutte chose to attend Mandatory Minicamp, signaling a focus on football despite offseason rumors. ESPN insider Dan Graziano suggested Boutte has drawn trade interest, noting his productive late-career surge and the Patriots’ crowded WR depth, with new additions like A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs adding to the competition. With one year left on his contract at $3.674 million, a trade could make sense to secure future picks rather than risk losing him in free agency.
Boutte has shown value as a productive secondary option over the past two seasons, delivering nine touchdowns in the last two years and accumulating 78 receptions for 1,159 yards and 9 TDs in his NFL career. However, ongoing trade chatter persists, with Schefter indicating Boutte’s absence from offseason programs and openness to a potential deal—perhaps this summer—highlighting the likelihood of a move before the season.
Key takeaways:
– Boutte attended Mandatory Minicamp, distancing himself from rumors and emphasizing focus on football.
– Trade interest in Boutte remains active, driven by Patriots’ WR depth and the one-year contract remaining on Boutte’s deal.
– Analysts note potential fits for Boutte elsewhere, including teams like the Raiders or Commanders, while acknowledging his productive role with the Patriots to date.
