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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
And yet, despite all of the moves and added competition, the old guard continues to play a sizable role within New England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally impressed, proud of, happy for the way he\u2019s approached this training camp,\u201d wide receivers coach Todd Downing recently told reporters. \u201cHe\u2019s [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\u2019ve seen the results of that with his play and production.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s WR1 in several categories including snaps (760) and receiving touchdowns (3), and as Drake Maye\u2019s primary outside receiver caught 43 passes for 589 yards.<\/p>\n
Despite the pair developing some solid chemistry, the Patriots\u2019 offseason moves seemingly had the potential to put Boutte on the outs. However, he made sure not to let that happen.<\/p>\n