The Houston Texans have an interest in Kayshon Boutte of the New England Patriots.
However, there is a significant roadblock preventing the two sides from coming to an agreement on a deal for the former LSU Tiger.
Boutte is a former sixth-round draft pick who faces stiffer competition for targets in the Patriots’ revamped wide receiver room, which now includes A.J. Brown and Rome Doubs. However, because he does not necessarily check all the boxes, the Texans are hesitant to pay up.
Texans Act on Trade Interest in Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte
GettyKayshon Boutte continues to be linked to the Texans.
“The #Texans have made exploratory trade calls, per league sources,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on August 21. “Among the potential targets: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.”
This report followed one from the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander that poured a bit of cold water on the idea for general manager Nick Caserio.
The Patriots are not exactly playing ball.
“The Texans have reached out to several teams about available receivers, including the New England Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte, three league sources told the Houston Chronicle,” Alexander wrote on August 21. “The three league sources described the Texans’ calls to other teams as inquiries into what type of capital it would take to acquire those players.
“As for the Patriots, their price for Boutte was higher than what the Texans are willing to spend, two of the sources said.”
Moreover, Boutte does not quite fit the mold of what the Texans are looking for.
“The Texans, ideally, want a bigger receiver should they bring in outside reinforcements, per a league source,” Wilson noted in his report, which means the 5-foot-11 Boutte is already testing their limits.
Texans Unlikely to Land ‘Best’ Option to Replace Jayden Higgins
GettyA deal for Kayshon Boutte could be unlikely.
Alexander noted that the Patriots and other AFC clubs are well aware of what the Texans’ situation is and are operating accordingly. That is, they are not eager to assist a potential Super Bowl contender in their time of need.
However, Boutte’s situation presents another challenge.
“Boutte would likely be the best short-term replacement for Higgins. He has been the Patriots’ No. 2 receiver, but their best big-play threat, over the past few years,” Alexander wrote. “But with Boutte in the final year of his rookie contract and unlikely to sign an extension with the team, there is a leaguewide perception that he could be traded at some point this season.”
Alexander suggested that the Texans could explore Boutte’s availability at a later date, but that is no guarantee that the Patriots’ asking price will have come down.
Texans Built for Ball-Control Offense
GettyDavid Montgomery figures to be a key part of the Houston Texans’ offense.
If the Texans are intent on preserving their assets for whatever reason, and they roll with Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, and Tank Dell alongside Nico Collins this season, they are better build to operate with a ground-and-pound offense than most.
They already have established themselves as one of the best defenses in the league and return 10 of 11 starters, with Super Bowl champion Reed Blankenship in the final slot.
With David Montgomery joining Woody Marks, their running game should be better too.
The Texans have also retooled their tight end room and offensive line, meaning they may have to adjust, but there is no reason to suspect they will completely collapse without Higgins, even if they settle on someone other than Boutte.
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