Flashback to 2021, Kayshon Boutte looked on his way to being a first-round draft pick.
The LSU wideout led the Tigers in receiving as a true freshman and was tracking toward a 1,000-yard season in 2021. Then, Boutte suffered a broken ankle. The injury, combined with inconsistency that followed, ultimately led to him dropping to the sixth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Patriots selected him 187th overall.
But the talent has always been there for the former five-star recruit — and it was on display
in New England’s season opener as he caught six passes for 103 yards.
“I think people fail to realize that at one point in time, I was [projected as] a first-round pick, just before my surgery,” Boutte said Monday. “I think a lot of people doubt that I can do what I do, but, I mean, I always knew what I can do, but to some people, it is a surprise. But to me, it’s just it’s always what I used to do.”
Praised this offseason by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and wide receivers coach Todd Downing for his professionalism this offseason, Boutte was one of the team’s most pleasant surprises this summer.
The offseason work translated to game action with Boutte’s 100-yard effort on Sunday, where the receiver was New England’s best down field threat as he worked well over the middle of the field and along the sideline as his connection with Drake Maye continues to grow.
“We have been working together since OTAs. Traveling from OTAs to training camp and keep putting in the work every day, day in and day out,” Boutte said. “It just goes back to practice… So, we got two, three opportunities to work on that [this week]. It’ll be better for week two.”
As the Patriots get set to turn the page to a divisional matchup in Week 2, Boutte, who logged 58 snaps against Las Vegas, looks ready to build off his performance in his starting role.
“I mean, that’s a lot of positives there,” Mike Vrabel said of the receiver. “I think his comfort level in us, everybody and what we’re doing, and I would say his professionalism, the way he came in, prepared and knew a lot of spots, played a bunch of different positions in camp, which gave him a really good role, which then grew.
“I think the quarterback trusts him. I think he’s got good play strength at the top of the route. So, just looking forward to continue to improve and happy for him that he’s been able to have success from the spring to now.”
