Added competition for WR targets
With the Patriots having added Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded for A.J. Brown, Evan Lazar of the team's official site suggests that Boutte is in line to compete for snaps in three-receiver sets.
As things stand, Brown and Doubs sit atop the Patriots WR depth chart, leaving Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams to compete for snaps and targets that don't go to the top duo. Boutte is coming of a 2025 campaign in which he caught 33 of 46 targets for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 14 regular-season games, but with Brown and Doubs destined to command plenty of attention from QB Drake Maye, the 2023 sixth-rounder's fantasy upside could take a hit in 2026. It's also possible that New England will elect to explore the possibility of dealing Boutte, with NESN's Dakota Randall noting via ESPN's Adam Schefter, that the 24-year-old, who hasn't been present for voluntary OTAs, "has been interested in a trade."
More New England Patriots Fantasy Football News
Romeo Doubs
Set to combine with A.J. Brown
As the coming season approaches, Doubs is the Patriots' projected top inside receiver in a re-tooled WR corps now led by A.J. Brown, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.
Drake Maye
Building chemistry with new top WR
Maye noted Thursday that things have been going well with him and A.J. Brown since the wideout's arriving in a June trade, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. "It has been awesome," Maye said on that topic. "I'm really looking forward to playing with him. I'm looking forward to getting to camp and building some chemistry. And I know there's already some there for me. You just gotta throw it near him, and he'll make a play."
Hunter Henry
Remains top tight end
While Henry returns as the Patriots' top tight end, slotting behind him on the team's depth chart has yet to be solidified following Julian Hill's season-ending knee injury, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.
A.J. Brown
May help create favorable matchups
Patriots' safety Kevin Byard suggests that the presence of a top-tier No. 1 wide receiver like his teammate Brown shifts the philosophy of how opponents want to play defense, a context that should benefit QB Drake Maye, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Rhamondre Stevenson
Continues to work with Henderson
Ahead of training camp, Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson remain atop the Patriots' RB depth chart, as they did last season, Avery Hill of the Boston Globe reports.
TreVeyon Henderson
Set to maintain prominent role
As training camp approaches, Rhamondre Stevenson and Henderson remain atop the Patriots' RB depth chart, Avery Hill of the Boston Globe reports.
Kayshon Boutte
Practices fully Tuesday
As expected, Boutte participated in Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Kayshon Boutte
To attend mandatory minicamp
Boutte said Sunday that he plans to attend New England's mandatory minicamp from June 15-17 after having skipped spring voluntary workouts, Dan Roche of WBZ reports.
DeMario Douglas
Added competition for targets
Douglas is in the mix to compete for snaps in three-receiver sets behind newcomers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Mack Hollins
In mix behind Brown and Doubs
As the coming season approaches, Hollins is line to compete with Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams for snaps in three-receiver sets, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.