Kayshon Boutte is still a member of the New England Patriots, but the former sixth-round pick could switch teams before the start of the season. Selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the LSU product didn’t do much as a rookie but quickly established himself as a key part of New England’s passing attack. After catching just two passes for 19 yards in his inaugural campaign, the wideout recorded a respectable 43 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns with a rookie Drake Maye in 2024. He put up similar numbers in 2025, finishing with 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns while helping New England reach the Super Bowl.
Nobody would argue that Kayshon Boutte is a Hall of Fame talent, but it’s clear that he belongs in the NFL and could carve out a role for himself on just about any team. Now entering the final year of his contract, New England reportedly tried to shop him during the 2026 NFL Draft, and the presence of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs makes it unlikely the team will re-sign him after the season. Seeing as he is probably buried on the depth chart, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes he could use a change of scenery and named the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders as potential fits.
“Boutte ranked second among Patriots wideout and third among pass-catchers with 551 receiving yards last season,” Knox writes. “While top receiver Stefon Diggs is gone, tight end Hunter Henry is returning, and brown is poised to take over Diggs’ role as the No. 1 target. New England also acquired Romeo Doubs this offseason, which could push Boutte even further down the targets list.”
Kayshon Boutte Named A Potential Trade Candidate
It’s easy to see why the Kansas City Chiefs are a potential fit for Kayshon Boutte. While Patrick Mahomes should return to action by Week 1, he probably won’t have his usual mobility as he works his way back from a torn ACL. This is especially troublesome in this season, as the future Hall of Fame quarterback has one of the weakest supporting casts of his career. Travis Kelce is another year old, Xavier Worthy has yet to justify his first-round draft capital, and while Rashee Rice is reliable on the field, he’s notoriously unreliable off of it.
Kayshon Boutte may not be a Hall of Famer, but he’ll bring some much-needed stability to this offense. The only question is whether the Patriots would trade him to a fellow AFC contender. New England’s championship window is wide open, and they probably don’t want to make Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid any better than they already are, especially since they probably wouldn’t receive a large return for the wide receiver. The Raiders, on the other hand, are a different story.
Fit With the Raiders
The Chiefs may have a weak supporting cast, but that group of pass-catchers looks like the 2007 New England Patriots in comparison to the 2026 Las Vegas Raiders. Tight end Brock Bowers is an undeniable talent, but the wide receiver room is exclusively comprised of washed-up veterans and uninspiring youngsters. Perhaps someone surprises in 2026, but adding Kayshon Boutte to the mix would go a long way in raising the floor of the group.
The Raiders want Kirk Cousins to start for the entire 2026 season, but that will only happen if the veteran can keep the offense on the field. If he can’t, the cries for first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza will only grow louder. Kayshon Boutte isn’t Justin Jefferson, but he could develop a strong rapport with Cousins and help keep the offense moving in the right direction as the Raiders compete in one of the league’s toughest divisions.
