Boutte available for trade?

[Rob0729]

 

[PatsFan2]

We he had a good Day yesterday from media reports.

 

[PatsFan2]

Who said you can't run with Two X-WR's and a Slot?? Look at Philly they were running with DeVonta Smith and AJB two X's.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yes they do.

Pop Douglas is a multi-year starter who has the ability to get 6-8 passes for up to 100 yards in a game. Not every game, but he has done it on multiple occasions. He would start on a lot of teams.

Kyle Williams has the ability to take the top off a defense and be a lethal deep threat for at least a few plays a game. If he take a sizeable year two jump, he might be a starter quality WR.

Chism has made the most of his limited time on the field. Another player who could be a much better player this year in year two.

That is before we talk about Boutte. The Patriots right now arguably have the deepest WR room in the league. They may not have the best, but that is because they don't have two number one quality WRs like a lot of teams.

And it's a young team, measuring from two years under present high-level QB and one year under the present coaching regime (reflected in the present re-ordering).

One thing to remember is that that dual no. 1 profile isn't handed down from Olympus. A guy takes a step, and voila, he's a "number 1." Do we think Devonta Smith is another number 1 in Philly, with close to identical states to AJB? That's within striking distance, production-wise, for a couple of guys in this WR room.

I think we also have a candidate for this jump in Kyle Williams. We have to see. But he's right there in the conversation, just because of the high upside.

Boutte's production per target is actually amazing - more than 1 in 8 targets going for TDs, and almost 1 in 5 catches, and 16.7 YPC.

By the way, here's Karen Guregian on the case for Boutte... a lot of it is the same sort of stuff we're kicking around here.

Karen Guregian: The case for keeping Kayshon Boutte with the Patriots

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who missed all of the voluntary camps, was back for minicamp and did plenty to back his case to remain with the Patriots.

sports.yahoo.com

If Boutte builds on the existing chemistry... if Doubs takes a leap catching balls thrown by Drake Maye rather than Jordan Love (not a total slouch either, thank you...) If Kyle Williams produces at a higher volume like he produced on his 21 targets in 2025... If, if, if... we could see someone become "another number 1." They're not ordained by God to become that. Looking back, you see something eye-popping, and you decide it was always meant to be.

What will we see when we look back through future years' filters at Boutte's 2025 YPC and TD-to-target ratios? A fluke or a harbinger?

Boutte said the magic words and now I'm looking at the bright side of everything... so no, we don't have an identified Devonte Smith opposite AJ Brown, but Philly had 1a/1b/nobody, if I remember their WR situation correctly. As in, where we had 3 WR with 450-550 yards, their next WR was in the 250 range. So Hurts dialed in on Smith and Brown. Holding backs and TEs constant, he ignored everybody else. Maye spread it around.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/stats/_/name/ne/season/2025/seasontype/2

https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/stats/_/name/phi/season/2025/seasontype/2

Main point: I honestly disagree that we necessarily lack a second big threat, we just don't know which candidate, of several, will provide it. And imagine if Drake Maye is playing behind a left tackle with both legs.

Boutte is young enough that he could still prove this case, and spectacularly, given the right attitude... which is why we have camp.

Speaking of, at least we're in mini-camp now...

 

[Wozzy]

You stole that from Kristen Welker

Who?

 

[Wozzy]

Would Pop's role here change if Diggs is re-signed?

Multiple people’s role would change, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Who?

Whoops - national differences. I don't want to stray into politics. Kristen Welker recently stood her ground demanding evidence of claims by a national figure here and the clip went viral. 'Nuff said. More than enough, given our rules

 

[PatsFan2]

From: Karen Guregian

Attending mandatory minicamp after skipping the voluntary OTAs, it was interesting to watch Boutte and Brown lined up on opposite flanks, with Douglas in the slot.

Has Pop Douglas figured out how to play the Slot?? Would be something if he did Hmmmm. Our WR's situation gets' very interesting if this pans out worth watching.

 

[imahobgoblin]

The reason Boutte is the odd man out is because he is a contested catch X receiver, and a good one at that, but he's no AJ Brown.

Brown, Doubs, Hollins and Williams (to some extent) can play the X role.

Pop is the best separator and man beater on the team, which is an important element to have, unfortunately he struggles to find the open spaces in zone when in the slot. If he did he'd be getting a lot more reps, but his skill set brings an important element to the WR room.

If you admire Boutte the player, let him go and further his career with another team rather than sit on the bench and diminish his market value. I'd be shocked if we got more than a 6th for him.

Pop is a freak athlete gadget player right now. He cannot figure out consistently where he needs to be during any given play. His timing is just off with Drake. When he does get it, he is really dangerous because he is so jittery and can separate. The potential is there, but he has not shown he can handle this offense yet. So no, he is not F-s slot guy as of right now.

Boutte is just the opposite. He is just Mr Consistent that knows where to be. The question is whether or not he can play Z or F.

The Z Receiver (Flanker): Lines up on the outside, but off the line of scrimmage (typically on the same side as the tight end). Because they are off the line, they can't be jammed immediately, meaning they often go into motion pre-snap or run deep routes. The Z receiver acts as a movable chess piece that needs high football IQ. They are chain-movers who can work the first and second levels of the defense. Jules and Diggs were excellent in this role.

The F Receiver (Slot/Adjuster): An inside receiver who plays detached from the offensive line. The F is the quintessential "move" player. They are asked to run a variety of routes—go deep, shallow, or break inside—to find the soft zones in coverage. Often called a "match-up maker," the F is tasked with making quick, reliable decisions to get open, usually attacking linebackers and safeties. Welker excelled at this position.

We will see Brown, Doubs, and Hollins default to X and move to Z at times. No doubt there will be some fun F plays.

Williams and Boutte are the Z guys, with X rotations. Williams speed is so fun at the X, but I think they really want him to master Z. The motion and speed is a nasty combo. Think Tyreek Hill type of motion.

The F (Slot) is up for grabs. Chism has been working his tale off to get a shot at this spot, and its open to him. The hope is he could be the next Welker. Pop has to step up and beat him, which is possible. Boutte said he is open to playing it as well. He is in the slot 9.6% in 2025.

Rookies? We seem to have an influx of talent. It will be fun to see how they do.

 

[Water Boy]

Pop is a freak athlete gadget player right now. He cannot figure out consistently where he needs to be during any given play. His timing is just off with Drake. When he does get it, he is really dangerous because he is so jittery and can separate. The potential is there, but he has not shown he can handle this offense yet. So no, he is not F-s slot guy as of right now.

Boutte is just the opposite. He is just Mr Consistent that knows where to be. The question is whether or not he can play Z or F.

The Z Receiver (Flanker): Lines up on the outside, but off the line of scrimmage (typically on the same side as the tight end). Because they are off the line, they can't be jammed immediately, meaning they often go into motion pre-snap or run deep routes. The Z receiver acts as a movable chess piece that needs high football IQ. They are chain-movers who can work the first and second levels of the defense. Jules and Diggs were excellent in this role.

The F Receiver (Slot/Adjuster): An inside receiver who plays detached from the offensive line. The F is the quintessential "move" player. They are asked to run a variety of routes—go deep, shallow, or break inside—to find the soft zones in coverage. Often called a "match-up maker," the F is tasked with making quick, reliable decisions to get open, usually attacking linebackers and safeties. Welker excelled at this position.

We will see Brown, Doubs, and Hollins default to X and move to Z at times. No doubt there will be some fun F plays.

Williams and Boutte are the Z guys, with X rotations. Williams speed is so fun at the X, but I think they really want him to master Z. The motion and speed is a nasty combo. Think Tyreek Hill type of motion.

The F (Slot) is up for grabs. Chism has been working his tale off to get a shot at this spot, and its open to him. The hope is he could be the next Welker. Pop has to step up and beat him, which is possible. Boutte said he is open to playing it as well. He is in the slot 9.6% in 2025.

Rookies? We seem to have an influx of talent. It will be fun to see how they do.

Did Boutte play any Z last year?

 

[imahobgoblin]

Did Boutte play any Z last year?

Yep, I read it was about 15%. His alignment was occasionally flexed to the Big Slot Z. That is what Kupp and Puca run. Boutte did that in college a bunch.

 

[Zuma]

Did Boutte play any Z last year?

Boutte is really an outside WR since he blew up his ankle in college. He is still fast but not so much quick for a Slot WR anymore.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Who said you can't run with Two X-WR's and a Slot?? Look at Philly they were running with DeVonta Smith and AJB two X's.

Someone in this thread mentioned that the more you post, the more your ignorance becomes obvious. You can't line up two Xs and a F (slot) because of the 7-Player Line Rule. Five of these players are the offensive linemen. This leaves only two spots open on the line of scrimmage for eligible pass catchers. That would be one X and one F (slot). The 3rd WR is the Z, who has to be off the line.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Boutte is really an outside WR since he blew up his ankle in college. He is still fast but not so much quick for a Slot WR anymore.

Slot is F and not Z. After he blew out his ankle, he played the Big Slot and can still do that. He would be just fine at the Z, which is off the LOS.

 

[Zuma]

Slot is F and not Z. After he blew out his ankle, he played the Big Slot and can still do that. He would be just fine at the Z, which is off the LOS.

Yeah I didn’t specify A, B, C or D. Boutte has acknowledged he’s had to change his game because of the ankle.

 

[captain stone]

Not counting Boutte, the #4 and #5 WR's are Williams and Douglas.

Do you think that most contenders have better at #4 and #5 WR?

I discount the PS crowd of Chism, Davis and company.

That means without Booty the #3 WR is Mack Hollins and the #6 becomes the Chism trail.

That particular group of 4 isn't horrible, but it ain't exactly a wealth of depth either.

 

[captain stone]

There is a bit of an issue here.

Many of us want to acquire an ILB or EDGE rusher.

We don't want to use a 2027 pick from the first 5 rounds.

And you say we should use Boutte either.

How exactly will we get other teams to part with the player or players that we want?

If they're trading Booty for Thibideaux, then they better have Stephon Diggs ready to put pen to paper here again.

 

[captain stone]

You stole that from Kristen Welker

'Tard.

The Left Ruins Everything. EVERYTHING.

 

[Wozzy]

If they're trading Booty for Thibideaux, then they better have Stephon Diggs ready to put pen to paper here again.

His name is AJ Brown and he’s already here.

 

[Wozzy]

That means without Booty the #3 WR is Mack Hollins and the #6 becomes the Chism trail.

That particular group of 4 isn't horrible, but it ain't exactly a wealth of depth either.

AJ Brown, Doubs, Williams, Douglas, Hollins, Chism, multiple talented UDFA’s trying out for a roster spot.

That’s a really good group of WR’s.