The New England Patriots knew they had to improve the receiving core this offseason, and they did a great job adding to the room. The team signed Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins and veteran Stefon Diggs while also drafting Kyle Williams from Washington State.
With all the wide receiver movement, a few players from the room could be moved this offseason, and Brian Hines from Pats Pulpit thinks Kayshon Boutte could be traded.
"The Patriots roster currently has 12 wide receivers, so some significant roster movement will take place over the next few months," Hines wrote. "From this point of view, a healthy Stefon Diggs, who is not expected to be on the field this spring, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Pop Douglas enter the offseason program atop the depth chart. That leaves Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Efton Chism as the top projected options to fight over one or potentially two spots. While Boutte was one of the more productive receivers on last year’s roster, a change in coaching staffs and scheme may leave better fits elsewhere, such as Kendrick Bourne, who had a career-year in 2021 with Josh McDaniels, or Ja’Lynn Polk, who was still a second-round pick last season. Multiple reports before the NFL Draft that Boutte could be on the move also don’t project well for his future in Foxboro. Boutte could profile as a low-volume X-receiver in Josh McDaniels’ offense, but the production last year at 23 years old would likely lead to him having the most trade value of the bubble players."
Boutte has appeared in 20 games over two seasons, recording 43 receptions for 589 yards and three scores.
If New England were to move Boutte, it could be a move that gets them a young player in return at a position of need that could come in and help this season without having to wait a year for a draft pick.
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