Kayshon Boutte (Patriots) Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
Draft Team: New England Patriots, Round 6, 10th pick (187th overall)
Given Kayson Boutte’s injury history, and the fact that he never did reach elite college production, it’s not shocking that he fell in the draft. But falling to the sixth round with 21 wide receivers picked before him? That’s a bit shocking. This was a player who was supposed to be a top 5 receiver in this class. It’s a tough pill to swallow for someone that has all the tools to be an elite wide receiver at the next level. But his lack of draft capital could make him an appealing late-round snag for your fantasy team.
There are good and bad aspects in his landing spot with New England. The good is, while he will have to fight for a roster spot, there isn’t a ton of upside in the Patriots’ wide receiver room. After Juju Smith-Schuster, Devante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thorton, the talent falls off a cliff. Boutte should not only make the team but should immediately slide into the WR4 spot. If he doesn’t, that’s a major red flag. And given the injury history and lack of upside of the players I’ve just named, Boutte has a chance to see time right away. Parker is always close to an injury and Bourne and Smith-Schuster are meh players at this point. Boutte could make noise.
The bad is obviously the Patriots’ quarterback situation and the offense in general. It remains heavily ground-focused and running back-centric. That and Mac Jones doesn’t look like he can support one fantasy wide receiver let alone multiple.
At this point, you’d be drafting Boutte in the hope that he can regain his pre-injury form, surpass the Patriots’ depth chart in a year or two, and receive enough catchable balls to be a fantasy contributor. That seems like a massive ask given his injury history and the whole of the Patriots offense. For me, Boutte seems like more of a player you monitor than a draft for me, but I don’t blame anyone that takes a flyer on his athleticism and upside.
Kayshon Boutte Draft Preview
Potentially the top wide receiver prospect heading into 2022, Boutte suffered through an up-and-down campaign with spotty quarterback play and a re-injured right ankle. He has all the tools to be a plus NFL starting wide receiver, but injuries and inconsistencies could also see him out of the league.
Measurables
- 6’1″ 196 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.5 seconds
- Vertical Jump – 29″
- Broad Jump – 9’10”
Stats at LSU
- 2022: 48 catches, 538 yards, 5 TDs
- 2021: 38 catches, 509 yards, 9 TDs
- 2020: 45 catches, 735 yards, 5 TDs
Strengths
Ideal size, speed, and abundance of strength make him a highly appealing wide-receiver target. Long strides create significant top-end speed and aid separation. Turned numerous short throws into big plays in college. Large frame to fend off defenders and bully corners.
Weaknesses
Hands are a bit of a question mark as there’s too many drops and too much body catches. Hasn’t shown a ton of nuance in his game, getting by on speed and size. Needs to clean up route running. Injuries are a definite concern with two surgeries on his right ankle.
Grade: B
Kayshon Boutte has turned into more of a dynasty afterthought than headlining the class, which is where we thought he would be after 2020 and 2021. He still has the enticing size and speed and could easily put it all together with the right opportunity in the NFL, but injuries make him a bit of a risky asset. Still if he falls enough in your draft he could be a terrific upside pick given his skillset.
Patrick Whelan is a 34-year-old fantasy football writer, dynasty league enthusiast, and DFS player based out of Chicago. When he’s not watching his Detroit Lions disappoint on Sundays, he’s crafting brand strategy for Gatorade, rooting on his Michigan Wolverines, or cooking elaborate meals. You can follow him on Twitter @PdiddyWay
