What is Boutte’s trade value?

[Bill Lee]

Unless he's on an overnight flight he's not at OTO's. That should tell us something.

Interestingly enough, AJ Brown isn't at Philly's OTOs either!

 

[Thelonious]

They had a great draft last year. Have another great draft and this could be a superteam. The names of guys we drafted last year and this year could be pro bowlers in the next few seasons. Trading one 4th or 3rd at worst draft pick for next offseason and one WR who is going to be a free agent and need to get paid is not the end of the world.

They have 11 draft picks, they have undrafted free agency... at last count they had 18 or so open roster spots for camp. Trade one of next years picks for Brown, draft a WR also... why not. Hollins, Boutte and Douglas don't have contracts for next year and Hollins is ancient.

Build a SuperTeam. This is the defending AFC Champion... you can't tell me we're not ready to "win now."

I understand: they made it to the SB last year, which makes my view that they still have very significant remaining work to do in the rebuild sound pretty fishy. I just can't shake the idea that last year's success was not a legit reflection of the team's quality. I know I can't point to any facts - other perhaps than the historically weak schedule - but as I say I just can't help but see last year as in part a mirage. I think I'm right, but I hope you are, and I'll be happy if that turns out to be the case.

 

[borisman]

The WR talent in the draft falls off somewhere in the third round so a 3rd rounder is my guess.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

The number of guys here who think chemistry with a QB is overrated....

 

[Give Kraft A Hand]

He’s had one solid year and is due for an extension soon so probably a 3rd or 4th.

 

[Give Kraft A Hand]

I think we all value Boutte way higher than the rest of the league. I really want to love him, but mostly because he's a good story. He suffered through the BB doghouse, the Mac Jones slop-house, the Mayo chaos-house, to evolve into a starting caliber WR. BUT - he's only been that because in NE you don't have to be much to play WR lately.
He's had some great highlight moments - but mostly because he's not fast, big, or quick enough to beat guys, and everything is contested. And if AJ comes - they're the same type of player, but AJ is vastly better. Sadly.

The other point with this is that even if the Pats keep Boutte now you have Doubs and Brown taking targets from him. There’s also the possibility they bring Diggs back too, albeit unlikely. So where’s his targets? Contract is coming up soon. I mean most people around the league would choose Brown over Boutte in a nano second. Here it’s a debate. 12 months ago people thought Boutte was going to be cut. So he had a great season but id rather trade him, bring in Brown and if you want to draft a guy in the 3rd or 4th as a WR you can develop then that’s cool too.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I find it hilarious that suckers here complain vociferously about not drafting WRS worth a damn, and they are crying for a 3,4,5 pick for 1 that is actually pretty fkn good, and coming into his own.
You can't make this **** up. Bah

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'd bet a late pick, 5th or 6th. He's reached his ceiling, I think he is what he is. A 30-40 catch sub 1000 yard receiver.

I agree. Boutte athleticism limits him, 4.5 40, 29" VJ, < 10' BJ. Boutte runs great routes and has fabulous hands but gets limited separation. He is who he is. I doubt Vrabel resigns Boutte or Douglas.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I find it hilarious that suckers here complain vociferously about not drafting WRS worth a damn, and they are crying for a 3,4,5 pick for 1 that is actually pretty fkn good, and coming into his own.
You can't make this **** up. Bah

Are people actually "crying for a 3,4,5 pick"? That's not what I'm seeing in the thread for the most part. The question was asked what his trade value and people are saying that's what they think teams would give up. Most then follow it up with "he's worth more than that to us" arguing we shouldn't make that trade.

 

[Wozzy]

Interestingly enough, AJ Brown isn't at Philly's OTOs either!

Think the deal is done already, they would want this solidified before entering the draft and to know what their draft needs are.

 

[Triumph]

No, I didn't. I very clearly stated WR was a big draft need unless the Patriots acquire AJ Brown.

If they don't acquire AJ Brown, then WR becomes a draft need .

Its very difficult to lie and get away with it on a messageboard. You should know this very well since youve tried and been caught so many times.

LIE # 1 - You never mentioned getting AB Jr to me until now. Flip Flopping in its finest. Have you decided its time to flip flop because the draft is 2 days away and AB is still in Philly? Now you are pro draft WR as time ticks away.

Unlkike you, I have maintained replacing Diggs 100% since he was cut. Plus, adding another Stud WR upgrading the JAG NE WR corps because this season will be more challenging than 2025.

What I didn't do was what you did, panic because the Pats didn't wildly overpay Alec Pierce or some other overpriced guy.

LIE #2 - I did not panic about Alec Pierce. In fact, I never even mentioned his name until right now and he has been signed with Indy for months.

By all means I encourage you to show us where I have panicked over Pierce. His threads are only a few pages back. I will be waiting to see your evidence, but not for too long because there is none.

 

[Triumph]

I agree. Boutte athleticism limits him, 4.5 40, 29" VJ, < 10' BJ. Boutte runs great routes and has fabulous hands but gets limited separation. He is who he is. I doubt Vrabel resigns Boutte or Douglas.

This is why I believe they signed Doubs.

Boutte and Doubs are similar.

 

[Wozzy]

I understand: they made it to the SB last year, which makes my view that they still have very significant remaining work to do in the rebuild sound pretty fishy. I just can't shake the idea that last year's success was not a legit reflection of the team's quality. I know I can't point to any facts - other perhaps than the historically weak schedule - but as I say I just can't help but see last year as in part a mirage. I think I'm right, but I hope you are, and I'll be happy if that turns out to be the case.

You can’t fake success for an entire regular season and three games into the playoffs. They met a buzzsaw in Seattle and their inexperience doomed them…
but it wasn’t a lack of “talent.”

The 2026 team is starting out much better than the 2025 team did prior to the draft. The 2025 rookies will be much improved this season.

Add some stud players in the first four rounds of this draft class and some role players with the remaining picks and UDFA’s… this team will have top of the league type talent.

Some of these draftees like Craig Woodson, Henderson, Kyle Williams, Wilson could become All Pros this season. Some DT or DE they draft next week could be the steal of the draft and a total stud. The draft provides a big infusion of talent if done well.

 

[Wozzy]

Its very difficult to lie and get away with it on a messageboard. You should know this very well since youve tried and been caught so many times.

LIE # 1 - You never mentioned getting AB Jr to me until now. Flip Flopping in its finest. Have you decided its time to flip flop because the draft is 2 days away and AB is still in Philly? Now you are pro draft WR as time ticks away.

Unlkike you, I have maintained replacing Diggs 100% since he was cut. Plus, adding another Stud WR upgrading the JAG NE WR corps because this season will be more challenging than 2025.

Yeah… I’m lying. This is from a thread you were involved in:

“They currently have all of their starters assuming health. They can always improve the starters, but they could begin the season tomorrow and field a very good starting unit. Now they need to add depth and potential future starters to groom behind the current starters. I have the draft needs as: OT, TE, WR (barring AJ Brown Trade), OG, CB. With slightly lesser needs being: LB, Safety and RB. Pass rush is one of those positions you add every year, so round out the draft with some Edge players.” - Wozzy April 11th

But I’m lying….

Post in thread 'Which positions would help improve the 2026 playoff chances most?'
Which positions would help improve the 2026 playoff chances most?

LIE #2 - I did not panic about Alec Pierce. In fact, I never even mentioned his name until right now and he has been signed with Indy for months.

By all means I encourage you to show us where I have panicked over Pierce. His threads are only a few pages back. I will be waiting to see your evidence, but not for too long because there is none.

You’ve been whining they need a “#1 WR” even though you can’t define what that is, you can’t explain how Diggs was a #1 WR but did nothing in the Super Bowl or how Smith-Nigiba led the entire NFL in receiving yards, was the best WR in football last year and Christian Gonzalez locked him down and held him to 27 yards receiving in the Super Bowl. You’re just sure we need a #1 WR to win… laughable.

Pretty much you haven’t done anything but tell me we need to replace Diggs who is a Wr1 at 33 but 29 year old AJ Brown isn’t a good option. Like I’ve said multiple times… take your zoloft.

 

[fnordcircle]

I can't overstate how much I hate this.

Hard working guy who was absolutely crucial in some important moments. Earned his way onto the team and everyone can't wait to jettison him for some malcontent new shiny.

Honest to God, I'm convinced AJ Brown is going to be a mediocre upgrade at best at a much higher cost. Blast me about it if I'm wrong, but ****ing hell I despise how people get so excited over a new guy with a higher Madden score.

 

[Bill Lee]

Think the deal is done already, they would want this solidified before entering the draft and to know what their draft needs are.

The report I read said Brown stayed home and was seeking clarity on his status with the team. It does suggest the deal is done.

You can’t fake success for an entire regular season and three games into the playoffs. They met a buzzsaw in Seattle and their inexperience doomed them…
but it wasn’t a lack of “talent.”

The 2026 team is starting out much better than the 2025 team did prior to the draft. The 2025 rookies will be much improved this season.

Add some stud players in the first four rounds of this draft class and some role players with the remaining picks and UDFA’s… this team will have top of the league type talent.

Some of these draftees like Craig Woodson, Henderson, Kyle Williams, Wilson could become All Pros this season. Some DT or DE they draft next week could be the steal of the draft and a total stud. The draft provides a big infusion of talent if done well.

I agree that it was no mirage. The turnaround from the Mayo Era was/is real. Much better team building both in draft and FA as well as much better coaching made the difference. In particular it enabled Drake Maye to "make the leap". No mirage there.

Overall I feel the team is playoff-caliber, yet not yet championship-caliber.

I've had a hard time figuring out how Brown fits into the team building strategy. At a high level we did have the whole "younger cheaper" mantra thrown at us. I see holes on the D that need filling or improving, and see in FA that they did bring in Doubs to beef up the WR room, not to mention other offensive FAs such as AVT for the offensive line, and upgrades at FB and TE. OTOH, perhaps Vrabel et al feels Brown is so good that he is the exception to the "younger cheaper" rule. I just can't tell. Yet the more he commits to WR, the less he can commit to other needs.

 

[Bill Lee]

Hard working guy who was absolutely crucial in some important moments. Earned his way onto the team and everyone can't wait to jettison him for some malcontent new shiny.

Honest to God, I'm convinced AJ Brown is going to be a mediocre upgrade at best at a much higher cost. Blast me about it if I'm wrong, but ****ing hell I despise how people get so excited over a new guy with a higher Madden score.

I get what you are saying.

Boutte worked hard, earned his place on the team, and made some key plays, especially in the playoffs. He showed he has strong hands and can make those contested catches.

The flip side is, on a game to game basis, did we see enough from him to not want to find better WRs? Did he show he can gain separation? Be someone the defense needs to worry about?

I think the fact that while it's not a like-for-like comparison the fact the team went after Doubs in FA shows they feel they need upgrades at WR in general.

My concerns about Brown are more about the wear and tear on his body and how long we can expect him to be able to perform at a high enough level to justify what he gets paid.

 

[Zuma]

For all we know he's pissed about the Doubs and Brown singings...he probably thinks he should be top dog. Also with the Eagles signing 3 WR's in the past 1-2 months...it's possible a player at a different position will be traded. Onwenu?

 

[Wozzy]

The report I read said Brown stayed home and was seeking clarity on his status with the team. It does suggest the deal is done.


I agree that it was no mirage. The turnaround from the Mayo Era was/is real. Much better team building both in draft and FA as well as much better coaching made the difference. In particular it enabled Drake Maye to "make the leap". No mirage there.

Overall I feel the team is playoff-caliber, yet not yet championship-caliber.

I've had a hard time figuring out how Brown fits into the team building strategy. At a high level we did have the whole "younger cheaper" mantra thrown at us. I see holes on the D that need filling or improving, and see in FA that they did bring in Doubs to beef up the WR room, not to mention other offensive FAs such as AVT for the offensive line, and upgrades at FB and TE. OTOH, perhaps Vrabel et al feels Brown is so good that he is the exception to the "younger cheaper" rule. I just can't tell. Yet the more he commits to WR, the less he can commit to other needs.

Ask me after the draft… if they have a slam dunk draft I’ll give a season prediction.

After last years free agency and draft I made a prediction…



They need to draft well.

 

[Wozzy]

For all we know he's pissed about the Doubs and Brown singings...he probably thinks he should be top dog. Also with the Eagles signing 3 WR's in the past 1-2 months...it's possible a player at a different position will be traded. Onwenu?

Brown hasn’t been traded for yet, also Boutte is a solid possession WR… but he’s not a top dog.

He had 550 yards receiving last year, Douglas was the Patriots best WR in 2024. Good player, good guy… but not a dominant outside WR.