Boutte available for trade?

[JoeSixPat]

Doubs is a signing I have a bad feeling will end up in regret. That could be NE fan pessimism but nothing about him seems special.

He's never going to be a #1 WR but he does have a diverse skill set and has been consistent with 40-60 receptions since being drafted by the Packers.

He actually does play X, Z and Slot although I think he'll be primarily a slot receiver here but his long TD of 48 yards last year was longer than Diggs' - but expect him to average 10-13 yards.

Playing with an accurate QB like Mayes I expect to see his production improve - but I think Josh likes the fact that he can use him all over the field to keep Ds guessing

 

[TheRainMaker]

Doubs is a signing I have a bad feeling will end up in regret. That could be NE fan pessimism but nothing about him seems special.

Here are the dreaded words from the media you don't want to hear...."he's still trying to pick up the playbook or acclimate to McDaniels' offense". That is the nail in the coffin.

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps the issue will be whether our 5th WR is worth $3.674M, salary of Boutte or Douglas.

Barring injuries, I think that we have four locks.

 

[Uptown]

Doubs is a better all around receiver than Boutte & is also a red zone threat. The issue is Green Bay’s offense spreads the ball around evenly (except to Golden, which was stupid because he was open A LOT) so he never got the volume he should have (never exceeding 725 yards). However, he can uncover at every level, has a high IQ & savvy in the red zone, which is huge. His only valid criticism, is focus sometimes. He’ll drop a couple a season.
He’s a textbook “B+ in general, but A for our offense” type of receiver.

 

[captain stone]

He's never going to be a #1 WR but he does have a diverse skill set and has been consistent with 40-60 receptions since being drafted by the Packers.

He actually does play X, Z and Slot although I think he'll be primarily a slot receiver here but his long TD of 48 yards last year was longer than Diggs' - but expect him to average 10-13 yards.

Playing with an accurate QB like Mayes I expect to see his production improve - but I think Josh likes the fact that he can use him all over the field to keep Ds guessing

A Slot Receiver here needs to have the ability to get open quickly, make the first guy miss, and turn up-field... Not sure that's really Doubs' game; also not sure if the QB will be given the time to wait for a trio of AJB - Doubs - Hollins to find their sweet spots...

 

[ScottishPatriots]

Doubs is a better all around receiver than Boutte & is also a red zone threat. The issue is Green Bay’s offense spreads the ball around evenly (except to Golden, which was stupid because he was open A LOT) so he never got the volume he should have (never exceeding 725 yards). However, he can uncover at every level, has a high IQ & savvy in the red zone, which is huge. His only valid criticism, is focus sometimes. He’ll drop a couple a season.
He’s a textbook “B+ in general, but A for our offense” type of receiver.

Not to mention everything good we've seen Boutte do as a Patriot is basically what we got AJ Brown to do just at a much higher level, i just don't see where Boutte fits while AJ is healthy.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

We have yet to see how Doubs or Brown respond to this system.

Until we see how they actually fit in, Boutte remains at least equal to either of them.

 

[mgteich]

Not to mention everything good we've seen Boutte do as a Patriot is basically what we got AJ Brown to do just at a much higher level, i just don't see where Boutte fits while AJ is healthy.

as a backup to Brown?

 

[mgteich]

We have yet to see how Doubs or Brown respond to this system.

Until we see how they actually fit in, Boutte remains at least equal to either of them.

Boutte shouldn't need to be equal to brown or Doubs to make the team.

 

[Uptown]

Not to mention everything good we've seen Boutte do as a Patriot is basically what we got AJ Brown to do just at a much higher level, i just don't see where Boutte fits while AJ is healthy.

Yeah…I’d love to keep Boutte. He’s a baller & it would behoove us (or any team for that matter) to keep good players, but it may be best to move him (for multiple reasons). That being said, we haven’t had depth like this at receiver in years..

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Boutte shouldn't need to be equal to brown or Doubs to make the team.

Playbook knowledge, familiarity and comfort with the QB are huge factors that can't be ignored. Until Brown or Doubs proves they have both those on lock, I hesitate to project great things. Seen too many veteran receivers flame out once they come here to believe otherwise.

 

[Real fan 02]

I don't know whether Boutte will be traded or not, but what he says to the media about wanting to stay should be taken with a grain of salt. Most players say they want to stay with the team they are on until they are traded. Then they are ecstatic to be with their new team. Boutte is saying the right thing publicly, but he could be still asking for a trade behind closed doors.

I will say this though. If that is the case, he is at least growing up. Because when he was a rookie he did not bite his lip when he was not happy he wasn't getting the ball enough for his liking.

Agreed. That 2023 season was just utter dysfunctional all around player's on offense and defense were seemingly outspoken remember guys on defense saying guess we have to hold teams to 0 points to win.

 

[Zuma]

Playbook knowledge, familiarity and comfort with the QB are huge factors that can't be ignored. Until Brown or Doubs proves they have both those on lock, I hesitate to project great things. Seen too many veteran receivers flame out once they come here to believe otherwise.

People sometimes underestimate how difficult it has been for established WR’s to learn Josh’s system in the past. Perhaps it’s not as difficult now as it’s been dumbed down a bit. I hope Brown and Doubs pick it up with no issues. We shall see.

 

[mgteich]

People sometimes underestimate how difficult it has been for established WR’s to learn Josh’s system in the past. Perhaps it’s not as difficult now as it’s been dumbed down a bit. I hope Brown and Doubs pick it up with no issues. We shall see.

I would expect this year's Offense to be less dumbed down than that of 2025.

This is another reason to keep Boutte at least until Josh thinks that he has 4 wide receivers who know the system well enough to contribute this year.

I would think that several will be ready to take the next step with the passing Offense: Maye, Henry, Hollins, and Williams.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Boutte is better than the numbers IMO.
Y'ALL can bash him.
He wants the contract, I can't blame him, he's a good player.
I'm JAG that looks at our crew...my attitude means nothing.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Boutte is better than the numbers IMO.
Y'ALL can bash him.
He wants the contract, I can't blame him, he's a good player.
I'm JAG that looks at our crew...my attitude means nothing.

I think everyone likes Boutte. I don't think posters are bashing him. Saying Boutte is a #2 or #3 is not bashing - we all know he is not a #1. And I don't think anyone blames Boutte for wanting his payday in 2027. Boutte was nice and a team player at the mandatory mini-camp. I think everyone wishes him all the best here or elsewhere.

 

[Zuma]

I would expect this year's Offense to be less dumbed down than that of 2025.

We just signed Brown and Doubs and you want to make the playbook harder to grasp for new players ? Yeah.....no.

 

[Wozzy]

I think everyone likes Boutte. I don't think posters are bashing him. Saying Boutte is a #2 or #3 is not bashing - we all know he is not a #1. And I don't think anyone blames Boutte for wanting his payday in 2027. Boutte was nice and a team player at the mandatory mini-camp. I think everyone wishes him all the best here or elsewhere.

This ^

Hate or dislike has nothing to do with it.

He needs a contract, that has everything to do with it.

 

[TheRainMaker]

People sometimes underestimate how difficult it has been for established WR’s to learn Josh’s system in the past. Perhaps it’s not as difficult now as it’s been dumbed down a bit. I hope Brown and Doubs pick it up with no issues. We shall see.

While I do agree the Pats system has been reported to be overly complicated, I see that veteran WR's having trouble picking up the offense is a myth. Here are the most significant veteran WR's that have that the Pats have signed over the years and played for McDaniels or O'Brien:

Caldwell: No. Had a career year.
Moss: No
Welker: No
Stallworth: I can give you this one. He didn't do as well as many thought he would.
Gaffney: No. Late addition in 2006. Was a solid 4th WR in 2007.
Galloway: frequently mentioned, but he was cooked. He was way past his expiration date. O'Brien was the unofficial OC.
Holt: Also mentioned. He was cooked, got injured and ended up retiring. O'Brien was the OC.
Ocho Cinco: The most popular name mentioned. Absolutely cooked. We never saw him again. O'Brien was the OC.
Lloyd: No. Already familiar with McDaniels.
Amendola: No.
LaFell: No.
Wayne: Another name mentioned. He was cooked and ended up retiring.
Hogan: No.
Cooks: No.
Dorsett: No.
Gordon: No.
Thomas: No. Already familiar with McDaniels.
Byrd: No. Had a career year.
Agholor: Yes.
Diggs: No.
Hollins: No. Already familiar with McDaniels.

 

[Ring 6]

A Slot Receiver here needs to have the ability to get open quickly, make the first guy miss, and turn up-field... Not sure that's really Doubs' game; also not sure if the QB will be given the time to wait for a trio of AJB - Doubs - Hollins to find their sweet spots...

That’s one version of a slot receiver, but not how most teams use the slot. Everyone isn’t Welker. Slot receivers can be used many different ways, with the main difference being it is harder to jam them. Running a guy out of the slot doesn’t mean you have to use him like we used Welker.