Boutte the ‘star’ of Pats training camp

The designation to return means that Dell is expected to contribute in some capacity this season, although he appears a ways off still. With Jaylin Noel still nursing an injury after experiencing a setback and Jayden Higgins lost for the season, recent acquisition Kayshon Boutte has all the runway to operate as the WR2 opposite Nico Collins to start the season. Xavier Hutchinson should also see an uptick in opportunities while tight end Dalton Schultz should see a significant boost in weekly volume.

The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report the transaction. Boutte now gets a fresh start in Houston after being phased out of the Patriots’ offense following the additions of Romeo Doubs and A.J. Brown this offseason. The 24-year-old receiver is in the final year of his rookie contract and has a chance to step into an immediate role for the Texans after they lost Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL last week. Boutte totaled 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season and has averaged 15.0 YPR in his last two seasons. He’s been used primarily as a field stretcher by the Patriots and will likely see a similar role in Houston, which could make meaningful fantasy production hard to come by.

Boutte has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason. Back in June, the Commanders and Raiders were linked to him in an ESPN report. Nothing has come to fruition thus far, and Boutte has received positive reviews throughout training camp. The Athletic’s Chad Graff described him as the camp “star” earlier this month. The Texans are attempting to improve their wide receiver corps after losing WR Jayden Higgins to an ACL tear recently. Fellow second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has also been dealing with finger and hamstring injuries. Boutte would give the Texans a solid vertical element if he ends up in Houston. He might warrant FLEX treatment in the right matchup.

It has not been an easy transition into the New England offense for Brown, per Callahan, who said Drake Maye — the league’s most efficient deep ball passer in 2025 — continues to connect with Kayshon Boutte for highlight plays in training camp. Boutte, Maye’s primary deep ball option in 2025, “has unquestionably been the most dangerous receiver in camp,” according to Callahan, while Drake and Brown have connected in just three or ten targets during camp. Miscommunication, Callahan said, may be a factor in Brown’s early struggles. It’s not a reason to panic for fantasy drafters, though Boutte’s chemistry with Maye could make Boutte an interesting late-round pick, especially if the Patriots are slightly more pass heavy in 2026.

Speaking with the media on Monday, Vrabel said he thinks “a lot of things get fabricated, and people tell stories,” when asked about Brown’s knee. Patriots executive VP of player personnel Elliot Wolf said last month that Brown has managed a degenerative knee condition in one of his knees since he first entered the league, and he has appeared in 15 or more games in three of his last four seasons. Vrabel acknowledged that Brown won’t do “every single thing” in camp/practice, but the team doesn’t appear overly concerned about the recently acquired receiver. Brown has posted four straight 1,000-yard campaigns and has scored seven or more touchdowns in each of those seasons. He profiles as a fringe WR1/WR2 for fantasy purposes in his first season with Drake Maye.

Boutte has been getting behind the Patriots’ defense thus far, maintaining the positive downfield play he demonstrated last season. The fourth-year wide receiver was the subject of trade rumors earlier this offseason. Training camp hype could get that news cycle going again. That said, having a deep receiving corps is a great problem to have. If Boutte is willing to buy into a rotational WR3/4 role behind WR1 A.J. Brown and WR2 Romeo Doubs, keeping Boutte in a Patriots uniform could be best for all involved. It will be very difficult for him to warrant FLEX treatment in re-draft formats with his current squad, though.

Maye and Brown have already begun generating highlight plays together against Patriots defenders. Coaches and players from both sides of the ball are highly complimentary of the new receiver, and Brown has taken on a leadership role within the offense. It sounds like things are coming together for Brown and the Patriots. Treat him as a WR2 with upside.

Boutte wouldn’t seem to have a real role with the Patriots after they acquired A.J. Brown on June 1 — one could argue the most surprising thing about that deal going down is the fact that Boutte wasn’t involved in it. Boutte is reportedly available in a trade, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported last week that the Patriots have received interest. It’s in Boutte’s financial best interests to show up.

Over the course of his career, Brown has openly discussed the maintenance his knees require. He underwent cleanup procedures in both knees in 2021. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently acknowledged that Brown has managed a degenerative knee condition in one of his knees since entering the league in 2019. Despite receiving treatment regularly, Brown has been a 1,000-yard receiver in six of his seven NFL seasons. We expect him to continue playing at a high level, but he could fall into the WR1/2 range this summer. Regardless, he is the Patriots’ clear-cut WR1.

Boutte remains away from the team and is interested in being traded, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick is in the last year of his contract and with the Patriots adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason, the writing is on the wall. Graziano mentions the Commanders and Raiders as teams that could be looking for receiver help.