NFL analyst compares Patriots draft choose Kayshon Boutte to All-Professional receiver

Patriots

Kayshon Boutte was as soon as considered a first-round choose after a robust begin at LSU.

The Patriots might need snagged large receiver Kayshon Boutte within the sixth spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, however the former LSU standout’s excessive ceiling has one NFL analyst evaluating him to top-of-the-line wideouts within the recreation.

Throughout an look on the “Contained in the Birds” podcast, NFL Movies senior producer and ESPN analyst Greg Cosell stated that Boutte reminds him of Stefon Diggs, a minimum of by way of the place the present Payments star was when he was taken by the Vikings within the fifth spherical of the 2015 NFL Draft. 

“If he reached his ceiling and might play to [his physical] traits on a regular basis, I assumed there’s a Stefon Diggs comparability to be made,” Cosell stated of Boutte. “Consider, Diggs got here out of Maryland as a fifth-round choose and the 146th participant chosen. That’s what I used to be evaluating him to, not Stefon Diggs within the final variety of years as arguably a top-five receiver within the NFL.

“Nobody thought that of Diggs when he was a fifth-round choose and 146th participant chosen. Boutte is an enchanting participant.”

Boutte stands as the highest boom-or-bust participant taken by New England within the 2023 Draft.

He was as soon as considered a possible first-round goal, reeling in 45 catches for 735 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman in the course of the 2020 season.

The previous Tiger was stellar out of the gate in 2021, recording 38 receptions for 509 yards and 9 TDs in simply six video games earlier than an ankle fracture ended his sophomore marketing campaign.

Since then, Boutte’s inventory plummeted. Through the 2022 season, Boutte completed with 48 receptions for 538 yards and two touchdowns over 11 video games. He drew the ire of recent LSU coach Brian Kelly throughout spring practices for his effort and management, though Kelly later famous that the wideout carved out a key function within the locker room.

“I believe he’s feeling snug along with his function and his management function,” Kelly stated of Boutte, per Isaac Trotter of 247Sports. “We’ve elevated his management function and he’s been excellent. He grabbed me on the sideline and stated, ‘Coach, don’t neglect the primary issues that it’s a must to say whenever you go within the locker room.’ He’s even scripting my stuff now. I used to be like, ‘Oh thanks Kayshon. Admire it. I couldn’t discover you the primary week. Now you’re working the present.’ 

“That’s what I really like about him. He’s been so engaged, so a part of what we’re doing. And we’re higher due to it and you may see when he touches the soccer he’s electrical. We’re right here as a result of our greatest gamers are taking part in their finest soccer.”

Nonetheless, whether or not it’s that extreme ankle harm (which required a second surgical procedure in 2022) or a lackluster exhibiting on the NFL Mix (29” vertical soar, 4.50 40-yard time), questions have lingered about how a lot potential Boutte has on the subsequent stage.

But when the proficient receiver can put his harm within the rearview and recoup the explosiveness he showcased from 2020-21, Boutte has the means to turn into a difference-maker with the Patriots.