Patriots
Boutte solely performed one drive in Friday’s preseason finale, which could possibly be a great signal for his possibilities to make the 53-man roster.
When you suppose Kayshon Boutte has gotten higher all through coaching camp and the preseason, Invoice Belichick would agree with you.
When the Patriots coach was requested concerning the rookie receiver’s development throughout a video press convention Saturday, he co-signed the notion that Boutte improved all through coaching camp and had a robust finish to the summer time.
“I believe simply the way in which you place it sums it up fairly properly,” Belichick stated when requested if he thought Boutte acquired higher throughout coaching camp. “He didn’t do loads within the spring, and as camp went on appeared to get stronger and extra productive, each in apply and video games, actually in all the areas that he labored into.
“So, that was very encouraging, and he confirmed explosive capacity on the sphere when he performed.”
Boutte was reportedly one of many standouts at huge receiver within the ultimate weeks of coaching camp, making catches from each Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
The momentum from these practices carried into the Patriots’ preseason sport towards the Packers final week. Boutte turned a reception off a slant from Zappe right into a 42-yard landing.
That play confirmed among the promise he introduced throughout the earlier a part of his profession at LSU. He had 83 receptions for 1,244 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first 16 video games with the Tigers earlier than struggling an ankle fracture throughout the 2021 season.
That harm slowed down Boutte as some believed he may’ve been a first-round decide within the 2023 NFL Draft previous to the 2022 season. After a comparatively underwhelming 2022 season, Boutte was picked within the sixth spherical of the draft by the Patriots.
Boutte seemed to be removed from a lock to make the Patriots’ roster for a lot of the offseason as Belichick famous that he didn’t do a lot within the spring. The emergence of fellow sixth-round rookie receiver Demario Douglas additionally appeared to make it unlikely that Boutte would make the roster.
However after the final couple of weeks, it seems Boutte is on monitor to make New England’s 53-man roster when groups should make their ultimate cutdowns forward of Tuesday’s deadline. He solely performed the opening drive of Friday’s preseason finale, through which the Patriots didn’t play a lot of their starters.
Belichick didn’t make any declarations about Boutte’s roster standing. However he nonetheless praised the receiver.
“He’s had a great camp,” Belichick stated. “And once more, we’ll simply check out every part right here as we put issues collectively over the weekend right here after which heading into the common season. However yeah, Kayshon’s had a robust camp.”
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