Where Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte ranks amongst LSU receivers drafted since 2000

The New England Patriots NFL Divisional round win over the Houston Texans may just be known as the Kayshon Boutte game.

In a breakout season, the third-year receiver captivated the Gillette Stadium faithful and NFL highlight reels with a one-handed catch in the end zone that will go down as one of the best catches in NFL history.  A catch that rivals that of fellow LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Boutte’s connection on a throw from Drake Maye symbolized his maturation from a sixth-round pick to a receiver making unbelievable caches against All-Pro cornerbacks like Derek Stingley Jr.

With the game still in doubt, Boutte was matched up against Stingley Jr.  The one-on-one matchup propelled Maye to take a shot from the Houston 32-yard line. 

In tight coverage, Boutte hauled in a diving one-handed catch that not only broke the backs of the Texans’ defense but put him in the conversation of the top wide receivers drafted out of LSU in recent drafts.

A catch defined: Everyone is talking about Kayshon Boutte

How did he make the catch?

Well, it came down to the chemistry he has built with Maye and the success he had against the same player on the same route in the 2024 NFL season.

“It was the exact same route, same end zone, same corner of the end zone on the same person,” Boutte lamented following the game.  “That was my first touchdown and his first touchdown, and I asked him if he wanted the game ball last year too and he told me I could keep it.”

In reference, Boutte is referring to Maye’s first career touchdown a year ago which was a play almost identical, except this time the LSU product made a spectacular catch with a level of difficulty that puts his name on the list of the likes of Beckham Jr., Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. when it comes to LSU receivers making a statement in the NFL.

Boutte led the team with 75 receiving yards in the win and aside from the 32-yard reception, he was a key catalyst on another scoring drive.  As far as the overall season goes, Boutee hauled in 33 receptions for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns.  This coming off a 2024 season in which he caught 43 receptions for 589 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Where the impact of Boutte is coming is on big plays where the connection between him and Maye is becoming a consistent component of the Patriots’ offense.

“He keeps on making them,” Maye said when asked about Boutte’s big play tendencies. “He keeps on making plays, making me look good. I'm proud to be able to give him some throws to make a play on it. A one-handed catch, not much else to say about it. It was pretty sweet. Kind of the same type of throw as my first one to him. And he made an even better catch this time. Props to Kayshon for keep on playing. He was huge for us tonight. That receiver room just keeps on doing good things. Good job in the running game. I think I could have more chances downfield and make better throws. But you can't be too hard on myself and move on to the next one.”

Speaking of the receiver room, Boutte has noted the addition of Stefon Diggs as a reason for his growth as a receiver.  But even before the addition of Diggs, Boutte was already making strides in turning around a quiet and tumultuous rookie season in 2023 into a solid start to his NFL career.

Another LSU receiver making plays in the NFL: Where does Boutte rank?

Selected in the sixth round of the 2023 Draft, Boutte entered the draft as a receiver with a great blend of size and speed that he is showcasing with the Patriots over the last two seasons.  Boutte emerged at LSU after Chase opted to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.  He showed flashes during his time at LSU as a top receiver but saw his draft stock drop after suffering an ankle injury.

Ironically, it was also drops that led to his draft stock slide.  But he has turned that weakness into one of those strengths.  Along with his overall talent, Boutte is transforming himself at the NFL level as one of the top receivers drafted out of LSU since 2000.

He hasn’t had the WR1 type seasons of current receivers like Jefferson, Chase, Nabers and Thomas Jr. but as a solid WR2, Boutee is making a name for himself.  NFL Mocks recently ranked the top 10 receivers drafted out of LSU since 2000.  At that time, Bouttee was just coming into his own.  At the end of another solid NFL season and seeing how he stepped up in the playoffs, Bouttee his risen to No. 10 on that list replacing Russell Gage.

At just 23 years old, expect him to keep rising that list.