The New England Patriots have been searching for a true X receiver to be their No. 1 option for the last five years, but he may have been on the roster this entire time.
Kayshon Boutte has slowly but surely climbed the depth chart in New England over the last two years of his career since being drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
His ascension started at the end of last year when he caught 16 passes on 19 targets in the final three weeks of the season for 240 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Then, following a strong offseason, Boutte opened the 2025 season as New England’s top receiver in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Although it was a loss for the Patriots, Boutte thrived in the first game of the season.
Boutte finished with six receptions on eight targets for 103 yards, averaging 17.2 yards per reception, 12.9 yards per target, and offered a 116.7 passer rating when targeted.
The fourth-year pro proved that he has a rapport with second-year quarterback Drake Maye, as they continue to build chemistry together over the 12 games that they shared the field in 2024.
Also in Week 1, all six of Boutte’s receptions were for over 10 yards. Maye has enough trust in Boutte to send him the deep-ball opportunity, even if it’s a contested situation. It’s worth mentioning that he was on the field for 82.9 percent of the offensive plays, which was the highest percentage of any non-lineman and quarterback, per Pro Football Reference.
This was Boutte’s second career game of receiving over 100 yards, and dating back to Week 18 of last season, it’s his second consecutive game receiving over 100 yards.
The Patriots have a long list of failed attempts at drafting and developing wide receivers. Although Boutte was drafted in the sixth round in 2023, there was a point in time when he was projected to be a first-round pick, which he reminded everyone about during his press conference.
“I think people fail to realize that at one point in time, I was [projected to be] a first-round pick just before my surgery. 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 always what I used to do.”
It’s worth mentioning that Boutte is 5-feet-11 and 197 lbs., which isn’t the standard size for a true X receiver, but it’s fair to say that his strong play style has the qualities you want for the position, and he’s really the only one on the roster that can play that style.
Boutte has quietly been one of the most productive receivers on the team. Last season, Boutte ranked third on the Patriots in targets (68) and yards (589), just under Hunter Henry and DeMario Douglas. Now in 2025, Boutte is poised to have another big season, and he’s already continuing on his success from 2024.
The Patriots might’ve had an X receiver on their roster all along.