Kayshon

Boutte

Despite playing with third-string quarterback Joe Milton III, this was easily the best game of the season for Boutte, who will end the season with 589 receiving yards on 43 catches (68 targets) with three touchdowns. Despite playing just 15 games due to an early injury, Boutte played more snaps than any other Patriots receiver considering he was on the field for over 90 percent of the team’s snaps in almost every game he was active. Part of his inefficiency was because he was used primarily as a deep threat on a team with one of the worst offensive lines in football which didn’t give Drake Maye much chance to work downfield. However, Boutte did lead the team in average yards per completion and in receiving plays over 20 yards with 11. The 22-year-old figures to come into next season as a key contributor in the Patriots’ passing game, but how big his role is will depend on what additions the team makes in the offseason.

Boutte missed Wednesday’s practice but was back for a full session on Thursday. He is good to go for Week 18. Boutte has run plenty of routes over the past month but has rarely converted that into a notable receiver line. Sunday’s game will give him a final shot at doing so before a pivotal offseason for the franchise.

Boutte’s game days are typically spent running cardio and his job will not be any easier with an illness. Even if Boutte suits up for Week 18, he is entirely unreliable and not a recommended start.

Boutte was tied for most targets on the team after a fruitful Week 16 saw him get 95 yards and a touchdown. The Pats’ offensive struggles led to a low output for him, but Boutte has become a larger part of the receiving group as the season has gone on. He is a volatile WR5 heading into Week 18 against the Bills.

Boutte secured a 28-yard, over-the-shoulder touchdown catch by fighting through contact from Bills fill-in starter, CB Kaiir Elam to put the Patriots up 7-0 on their first offensive drive. Boutte went on to lead his team in both receptions and receiving yards and finished second on the team in targets. All three figures marked career highs for the volatile performer. Boutte has a chance to finish strong against the Chargers in Week 17. Consider him a highly volatile flex.

Boutte’s quiet day went from bad to worse in the third quarter when he tipped a low pass up into the air. The ball landed in the hands of Cardinals corner Sean Murphy-Bunting for an easy interception whose blame falls on the shoulders of Boutte. The second-year wideout has been held to three or fewer receptions in each of his past three games. He is stuck in the WR5/6 ranks for his Week 16 matchup with the Bills.

Boutte also caught a two-point conversion that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. Per usual, Boutte ran plenty of routes for a Pats team still searching for answers at wide receiver. Despite an every-down role, Boutte has yet to top 59 yards or five catches in a game this year. That isn’t likely to change following New England’s Week 14 bye. He will remain in the WR5/6 ranks versus Arizona in Week 15.

Despite consistently being on the field more than any other Patriots receiver, Boutte has struggled to put up fantasy numbers. The Patriots are also often trailing and throwing, so that’s doubly bad news for the 22-year-old receiver. This is one example of volume that isn’t worth chasing in fantasy.

The four catches and six targets both matched Boutte’s season high. He has actually drawn exactly six looks in four straight appearances. That has established a floor, but Boutte has yet to spike a week in this low-upside offense. He has reached 50 yards one time all season, 59 five weeks ago. Even with Drake Maye looking a little bit better each week, there should usually be better WR5 options to jam into your second FLEX spot.

Boutte caught a 23-yard pass in the second half from Drake Maye for his highlight of the day. The Pats have been using Boutte and DeMario Douglas more often, indicating they may be trending upward in the offense’s pass-catching hierarchy. The recent increased usage is encouraging, but Boutte is still no more than a WR5 for Week 11 against the Rams.