Based on the comments of Houston Texans General ManagerNick Caserio, it seems that the AFC South was looking at potentially trading for a wide receiver before Jayden Higgins’ injury.
However, his injury sped the process up and led the Texans to make a move for New England's Kayshon Boutte.
“We kind of look at our team and situation. If there's an opportunity we feel makes sense, we'll pursue it," Caserio said Tuesday. "I think he's a player that had been available probably since the spring. New England hadn't done anything with the player. I would say the Higgins situation probably spearheaded that a little bit. Understanding that it's unfortunate what happened to Jayden, but there was an opportunity to add a player of Kayshon's caliber. We felt
like it was worth a discussion.
Losing Reed was a tough call to make, but the right one based on what Houston needs entering the season. The Texans had considerable depth at safety and, even before Higgins’ injury, lacked that kind of depth at receiver.
Higgins played an important role in the offense last season after recording over 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns and with that production lost, the Texans needed to bring in a receiver who could have those kinds of numbers.
Boutte’s numbers were actually pretty similar to Higgins’ last season. Boutte also had over 500 receiving yards with six touchdowns. He caught over 70 percent of passes thrown his way and was known to have some chunk plays throughout his three years with the New England Patriots.
"Kayshon is a player; take the playoff game out of it, I think everybody focuses on that, when you look at the 2024 and '25 season, he played 700 snaps, played a lot of snaps, played good football, had good production," Caserio said. "He’s a young player. In the end it was kind of fit, situation and timing. It kind of worked out for all parties involved.”
The Texans open the regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 13.
During his time with the Patriots, Boutte played the Buffalo Bills, who the Texans open their season against, four times. In those four games, he had 16 receptions for 285 yards and two touchdowns which is better than he has done against any other NFL team. That is a good sign for Houston’s offense who had one of their worst passing games against the Bills last season.
Perhaps Boutte’s presence on the team will also help quarterback C.J. Stroud who significantly struggled in the playoffs last year. Having a receiver of his talents could easily help boost Stroud’s confidence and if that holds true throughout the season, Houston may finally reach the AFC Championship and maybe even the Super Bowl.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans GM Nick Caserio on trade for WR Kayshon Boutte: 'There's give-and-take' for talent
