2. Kayshon Boutte, WR
Sow isn’t the only rookie who’s been impressing the New England coaching staff and fans alike this summer. Wide receiver Kayshon Boute — Round 6, 187th overall — has also turned heads recently.
Boutte didn’t exactly impress in the preseason opener, but he bounced back against the Packers by turning a pair of catches into 49 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The moment that grabbed the football world’s attention was when backup quarterback Bailey Zappe connected with the rookie WR for an electric 42-yard TD pass in the second quarter’s dying minutes.
Kayshon to the 🏠
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2023
📺: @wbzsports pic.twitter.com/DRxRDAG82v
The hype around Boutte is certainly justified. As storied as the Patriots franchise is, management hasn’t exactly done a good job of drafting and developing wideouts. The fanbase has the right to be excited about an electric pass-catcher who looks like he can contribute despite being a sixth-round pick.
The thing is that Boutte must prove himself again Saturday night. While his last performance was impressive, he needs to convince Belichick & Co. that he’s more than a boom-or-bust player.
The silver lining is that fellow WR Tyquan Thornton is still week-to-week with a shoulder injury and could be sidelined to begin the new campaign. Boutte must take advantage of this situation by putting forth a performance that’s too impressive for the coaching staff to ignore.