Kayshon

Boutte

The down-field opportunities just weren’t there for a Patriots offense that got dominated whistle to whistle. Boutte’s 33/551/6 statline mostly repeated his 2024 marks, though he doubled his touchdowns and added three yards to his YPC (16.7). Boutte was a legit role-playing weapon down the field for the Pats’ rotational receiver corps. That’s despite Mack Hollins serving much the same role. Hollins is signed for 2026 but is going on 33 and is more known for his blocking than pass catching. There should be an opportunity for 24-year-old (in May) Boutte to take another step forward in the final year of his rookie deal, though he seems to be maxing out as a situational deep threat. He should be rostered in dynasty, but is not the highest-upside option despite his relative youth and elite quarterback play.

Boutte’s one reception came late in the second quarter after the Patriots forced a turnover of Jarrett Stidham. His short-reception helped set up Drake Maye for a six-yard touchdown run on the following play, but Boutte, like the rest of the Patriots’ offense, struggled to get anything going in this one. His six targets tied Stefon Diggs for the team lead on Sunday and marked the second-straight week in which he saw five or more targets. Boutte and the Patriots will now prepare to head to San Francisco where they will face an NFC opponent to be named later in the Super Bowl.

Hollins resumed practicing today, which gives him a chance to suit up for the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. Hollins is a reliable blocker and a streaky producer, operating as a speedy field-stretcher for the Patriots. His return could reduce WR Kayshon Boutte’s snap share, though Boutte has caught 7-of-9 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown in two postseason games. He has a chance to retain the starting role even if Hollins returns.

Hollins landed on injured reserve after injuring his abdomen in late December. The speedy field-stretching wide receiver would be nice to have on the field due to his blocking ability, but his absence allows WR Kayshon Boutte to remain on the field, operating as an effective downfield pass catcher.

Boutte’s score was an amazing, one-handed grab in Derek Stingley’s stingy coverage in the fourth quarter. Boutte caught the ball sliding in the end zone. It was an elite play on an afternoon where pass catchers weren’t exactly feeding the highlight reel. Once again stepping up as the Patriots’ primary deep threat with Mack Hollins (abdomen) sidelined, Boutte is a potential AFC Championship Game X-factor for the Pats’ westward trip to Denver.

Boutte appeared on the injury report with a hamstring issue on Thursday, but he showed no ill effects in-game. On the Patriots’ seventh drive, Boutte ran a vertical route down the left sideline, cut inward, slipping past Chargers CB Tarheeb Still before leaping for the ball in stride, picking up a 42-yard gain that brought the ball down to the Chargers’ 27-yard line. Boutte then contributed a 16-yard catch-and-run down the right sideline on his team’s eighth drive. The Patriots face the winner of tomorrow’s Texans-Steelers game. The Steelers’ aging defense could allow Boutte to keep the big plays rolling.

As is EDGE Harold Landry (knee). With Mack Hollins out at least several more weeks with an abdominal injury, Boutte enters the postseason as the Pats’ primary deep threat. It’s been a profitable role this season, and is perhaps one worth betting on in playoff DFS. That being said, you might not want to risk it against the Chargers’ elite pass defense. Inactive for the Patriots are WR Jeremiah Webb, EDGE Bradyn Swinson, OT Marcus Bryant, OG Caedan Wallace, TE C.J. Dippre, QB Tommy DeVito and DT Khyiris Tonga.

Boutte was added to the injury report with a limited session on Thursday and is now in some question for this week’s game. Kyle Williams is probably who the Patriots would turn to alongside Stefon Diggs and Pop Douglas if Boutte couldn’t go. New England’s outside receiver room has taken a beating of late with Mack Hollins already on injured reserve and Boutte struggling to play for most of the last four weeks.

Mid-week additions to the injury report typically indicate that the player suffered a new injury in practice that day. We fear this is the case here. Boutte notably dealt with a hamstring strain earlier this season, costing him two games. He is not a big-time player in the Patriots’ offense, but he helps keep safeties honest in his field-stretching role.

With 551 yards in 14 contests, Boutte actually failed to top his 2024 yardage total, but he still enters the playoffs as the Pats’ primary deep threat. He will be a potential field-flipper and game-changer beginning in the Wild Card Round against the Chargers.