Patriots Player Departure Patriots are sending WR Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick

[raduray]

Last year they could get just about anyone they wanted on waivers b/c they had the #4 position throughout the preseason. This year, thanks to making the Super Bowl, the only team they've had priority over is Seattle.

Fair point

 

[mgteich]

So, in the past week, we have signed players who can start if needed at OG, C, P and S. We also discovered a backup punter.

We also picked up a PS OG/OT.

I would say that our depth has improved a bit.

And yes, we gave up our 7th WR.

Last year, our late pickups were Woods, DiVito, Gregory and Durden.
This year, our pickups have been Van Roten, Haak, Conley, and Reed.

Hopefully, we will be able to add some depth at ILB or DL.

 

[manxman2601]

A good point made in that Tanner James breakdown of Reed is that we really struggled defending the flat against the Eagles and maybe Reed helps out there as a big nickel.

"Reed has flashed some nice click-and-close ability, especially when covering tight ends or reacting to passes in the flats -- something the Patriots specifically struggled with against the Eagles. "

There was also an article posted last year which @mayoclinic shared in the draft forum which basically said that we use safeties as force players in the run game. The DLs job is to force the run outside - the EDGEs crashing inside - and the CBs are used to set the outside edge with the safeties being the ones to make the tackle. We saw that plenty with Woodson last year and now have the potential to have that with Reed also, covering both sides of the LoS.

 

[Dec54]

A good point made in that Tanner James breakdown of Reed is that we really struggled defending the flat against the Eagles and maybe Reed helps out there as a big nickel.

"Reed has flashed some nice click-and-close ability, especially when covering tight ends or reacting to passes in the flats -- something the Patriots specifically struggled with against the Eagles. "

There was also an article posted last year which @mayoclinic shared in the draft forum which basically said that we use safeties as force players in the run game. The DLs job is to force the run outside - the EDGEs crashing inside - and the CBs are used to set the outside edge with the safeties being the ones to make the tackle. We saw that plenty with Woodson last year and now have the potential to have that with Reed also, covering both sides of the LoS.

I didn't want to see Boutte go either, but lets face it was always on the cards. Lots of moaning here about "only" getting Reed, but I for one think this could turn out to be a good move for the Pat's.

 

[Clonamery]

I didn't want to see Boutte go either, but lets face it was always on the cards. Lots of moaning here about "only" getting Reed, but I for one think this could turn out to be a good move for the Pat's.

We keeping 5 Safeties plus Schooler?

 

[n1997y]

We keeping 5 Safeties plus Schooler?

Probably not, I think five including Schooler.

Woodson
Byard
Reed
Saunders
+Schooler

Pettus to the PS

 

[rkarp1]

OK

Vrabel has judged that Boutte's worth to the patriots is the same as a backup safety.

I see no reason to disagree.

this is a foolish comment
you continue to discuss "worth" regarding Boutte, while disregarding the pending contract.
Boutte's "worth" is not only predicated on his on the field production, but his next contract.
Boutte's value on the field far exceeding a 6th round pick. his looming free agency is what is impacting his trade value.
If Boutte puts up the same numbers he did this past season, he is getting paid, and he is playing where he wants to play.

the Pats did not put a value on Boutte, the market did. the market digested his production, age, health, and contract status.

Doubs-2025 season. 55 rcpts. 65% catch percent. 13 yards per rcpt
Boutte-2025 season. 33 rcpts. 72% catch percent. 17 yards per rcpt
Doubs-4 years $70m
Boutte with the same stats as 2025-4 years ??million?

 

[Clonamery]

Probably not, I think five including Schooler.

Woodson
Byard
Reed
Saunders
+Schooler

Pettus to the PS

Is Reed starting?

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I don't think it was a give away.
What do you think Kayshon Boutte was worth?

I really liked Boutte as a player, and because of his age, I thought he still has plenty of room to improve.

Reality, however, is he has 78 catches in 3 years, and has played 34 of a possible 50 career games. He can only play on the boundary, he can't play in the slot. He doesn't play special teams. He was looking for a serious long-term deal, not a high-guarantee short-term contract - after the Patriots just brought in two receivers who are objectively better than he is.

So, what do you think he was worth, if you think the Patriots just gave him away, considering they brought in a young safety, under contract for two years with starting experience, when they had zero depth behind Byard and Woodson? Worth enough for you to call it a 'give away'?

He's valuable in that they didn't want to pay the guy. He will get 15 a yr from someone when he hits the market. If he wasn't worth much he'd still be here

 

[Huckleberry1]

....? I've not seen anything that suggests as much. The only similarity to Welker and Edelman is him being white and a small receiver. He had THREE receptions last year, and has only had 4 in this preseason.

He is NOT those two, full stop.

It's the only thing that has really made me scratch my head with Vrabel. I don't get what he sees in him.

Diggs and Douglass got all the touches out of the slot last year, Chism was learning the position. And Edelman himself has acknowledged that he was on the bubble his first 3 years in New England. Like so many others it appears that you don't have the patience to allow them to develop players, they have to produce big numbers immediately or they SUUUUUCCCCCKKKK!!!

 

[Tunescribe]

I don't see this as a good representation of reality. Williams and Boutte have different skill sets. One guy is a solid downfield contested catch guy, the other can outrun or out quick a defender. Boutte is what he is. Williams has the higher ceiling. We HOPE Williams will give us around 500 yds in a backup roll behind Doubs and AJ this season, anything more is a bonus

Williams' primary problem appears to be tracking the ball in flight as he's ending routes. No telling what the solution might be, whether it's (hopefully) just getting enough game-speed reps or even if it's a coachable skill. If he can go in a straight line with nobody pestering him, like we saw vs. Tampa and also a few days ago, he can be dangerous.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think the better question is what does Doubs do better than Boutte to justify paying and bringing in as a replacement?

Everything.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Everything.

Sometimes I feel like Doubs is being criminally overlooked around these parts.

He's pretty good!

 

[moosekill]

this is a foolish comment
you continue to discuss "worth" regarding Boutte, while disregarding the pending contract.
Boutte's "worth" is not only predicated on his on the field production, but his next contract.
Boutte's value on the field far exceeding a 6th round pick. his looming free agency is what is impacting his trade value.
If Boutte puts up the same numbers he did this past season, he is getting paid, and he is playing where he wants to play.

the Pats did not put a value on Boutte, the market did. the market digested his production, age, health, and contract status.

Doubs-2025 season. 55 rcpts. 65% catch percent. 13 yards per rcpt
Boutte-2025 season. 33 rcpts. 72% catch percent. 17 yards per rcpt
Doubs-4 years $70m
Boutte with the same stats as 2025-4 years ??million?

You look at funny numbers over and over. The big number that matters is 33 receptions vs 55 receptions what is that 60% more catches? These two wide receivers aren't the same and NO ONE ELSE WANTED HIM!!!!!! Do you understand that????? People can argue that he was more valuable to the Patriots, but um they wanted to get rid of him, so no he wasn't. He is a good receiver, I could give two ****s whether or not he is home grown talent, he was a JAG, there are lots of every day pretty good receivers out there. Could he continue to improve and become more, perhaps, was he going to do it for the Patriots this year, probably not, he was buried at the bottom of the depth chart. He asked for a trade this spring, because he knew he wasn't going to be the #2 again this year and get 33 receptions and 600 yards he was probably going to get 15-20 receptions and 250 yards, and a contract for a couple of million dollars. Now at least he can sort of be the guy for Houston and maybe get a big payday, for his sake I hope he can, he made some huge plays for us last year and I wish him all the luck in the world, except when he plays us.

 

[moosekill]

You look at funny numbers over and over. The big number that matters is 33 receptions vs 55 receptions what is that 60% more catches? These two wide receivers aren't the same and NO ONE ELSE WANTED HIM!!!!!! Do you understand that????? People can argue that he was more valuable to the Patriots, but um they wanted to get rid of him, so no he wasn't. He is a good receiver, I could give two ****s whether or not he is home grown talent, he was a JAG, there are lots of every day pretty good receivers out there. Could he continue to improve and become more, perhaps, was he going to do it for the Patriots this year, probably not, he was buried at the bottom of the depth chart. He asked for a trade this spring, because he knew he wasn't going to be the #2 again this year and get 33 receptions and 600 yards he was probably going to get 15-20 receptions and 250 yards, and a contract for a couple of million dollars. Now at least he can sort of be the guy for Houston and maybe get a big payday, for his sake I hope he can, he made some huge plays for us last year and I wish him all the luck in the world, except when he plays us.

Dislike it all you want, it is the truth and some of you are just plain to stupid to realize it. You put your fanboys glasses on, progressives for most of you, and slobber all over our players.

 

[Clonamery]

Dislike it all you want, it is the truth and some of you are just plain to stupid to realize it. You put your fanboys glasses on, progressives for most of you, and slobber all over our players.

Relax. You're way too triggered for a normal person.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

To nobody in particular,

Boutte was leaving either way, and I seriously doubt Vrabel took a lesser offer.

The market sets the price. Not the coach, GM, or the astrological alignments. BB didn’t turn down a golden chest of 1’s for Cassel or Jimmy G, that’s one of the dumbest things foisted upon here and Patriot Nation by hater fools.

The market sets the price. Boutte is only worth a 3rd or 4th if someone is willing to give it up.

Boutte needs a new contract, that drops a 4th round pick value player down to the end of the draft.

Nobody wants to trade for a player, then extend him a massive new contract. It’s bad business. The market sets the price.

Okay, for the sake of argument:

Boutte is not a free agent. He does not need a new contract this year.
Point 2, "nobody wants to trade for a guy then set him a massive new contract..." Well, A, it happens all the time., and 2, it wouldn't be massive. He's Kayshon Boutte, not Jerry Rice.

Data points:
- Boutte's contract is not up.
- Boutte came in and competed like he has something to prove (or, like he had something to prove to trade partners, if we believe he wanted the trade)
- Prior to camp, Boutte publicly announced, basically, "It's not me, it's them." I.e., he wanted it to work in NE. Of course, any party can be lying at any time. I mention this in case we believe there was urgency to trade him because we promised to trade him.
- Even if it was a "daddy, you promised" move, it wasn't one that couldn't wait.

I don't remember him being a "me me me" guy at any point, and I just don't understand it. I know I can live without his mid production (until you factor in yards/catch.)

That said, he's the odd man out (as always, for some reason.) Okay. I love the other guys who could also be traded, so it's not a binkie situation to me.

Maybe it's in-building stuff I guess. It could be some species of "Tow the line one more time without a holdout and we'll trade you, and we won't even say it's your idea."

It could even be, "you're right - you're worth being a star somewhere, but we're swinging for the fences and we think you've got a lower ceiling than we want."

It could be, "Hey you three guys. One of you has to go this season,. I don't care who. You're all medium productive. Anybody want to volunteer?"

All that sounds stupid though. I'm putting it in the "unexplained" file.

Of course, the explanation could just be "we need the room to get somebody, anybody, who can take the pressure off the LB corps (via big nickel) and my back hurts too much to go out and play myself so there goes Plan A."

So yeah, I am sure it's explained fairly easily, but not as easily as "he's about to be a free agent."

Okay, moving on.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Anyone know much on this Jaylen Reed?

Reed was taken in the 6th round by the Texans in the 2025 draft.

6'0 211 pretty quick with a 4.49 40 yard dash. Had 98 tackles his last college season at Penn State.

Seems to be more of a box run support safety than a coverage one from the scouting report I read.

Feels like a reasonable depth piece.

Sorry to see Boutte go but the writing was on the wall for quite some time that the Patriots were looking to move him.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

This trade will just come down to how good a player creed can become for the Patriots. If they are right about him then it's a good trade. If he's just a special teamer it's a bad trade.

Creed is a champion. Like his father, Apollo. Reed, on the other hand, is not a champion, unlike perhaps incoming safety Reed Blankenship, or the First Reed (see what I did there,) Ed Reed, peace be upon him. WTF is it with "Reed" and that position?

Tell me one more time how we're not living in a simulation...

Anyway, if Reed is this secret superstar, it's a genius move. If, as is more likely, he just completes a desperate strategy to mask a deficiency, we're underestimating the eventual need for WR depth (every effin' year) because the need feels so urgent right now, and because (once again) Boutte feels to them like nothing special.

Oh well. Crowded WR room. We'll all live.

 

[PatsFan2]

This move points to a few things...they're happy with the progress of Kyle Williams and Chism. Also McDaniels feels that Pop Douglas is ready to be that productive volume Slot: and they like the prospects of developmental players Nick DeG and K Dixon.