Kayshon Boutte remains the polarizing, potential gem of Patriots promising draft

Boutte picked up right where he left off, posting nine catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns vs UCLA in the 2021 season opener. 

A natural route runner and playmaker, the LSU standout had 509 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in just six games before breaking his ankle. 

Why Boutte was still available at pick 187 for the Patriots can be explained by a nightmare-ish final chapter in Baton Rouge. 

Per Brody Miller of The Athletic, Boutte hadn't dedicated himself enough to his rehab after his injury. His ankle "didn't heal properly, and it took another surgery to fix it." 

Miller outlined how the injury was a key point of contention with new head coach Brian Kelly, the next hire following Ed Orgeron. 

Boutte averaged a career-low 11.2 yards/reception in 2022 and had just two touchdowns on 48 catches. He declared for the NFL Draft after initially announcing his return for a senior season. 

He underwhelmed at the NFL Combine, headlined by a poor 29-inch vertical jump. The former sprinter ran a 4.50 40 and didn't test again at his LSU pro day. 

Faulk believes the injury greatly factored in to Boutte's down year, adding, "When I was with that kid, he was very coachable.... when you say a kid's not coachable, that means a coach can't relate to who the kid is as a player." 

Like many, Faulk was not retained when Kelly's staff took over. 

Boutte signed a four year deal worth $4,027,274. New England doesn't have much invested in him between his draft capital and guaranteed money ($187,274 guaranteed via signing bonus). 

He doesn't have the financial security he would've earned with an earlier draft selection, so he's going to really have to fight and claw. 

Boutte echoed the importance of hard work, and that he feels "like it's time for me to prove that I'm not that same person." 

If Boutte resembles the player and person Faulk knew, he can be the rare late-rounder able to elevate a draft class from good to great.