The Houston Texans recently bolstered their wide receiver corps by acquiring Kayshon Boutte from the New England Patriots. This trade comes after the Texans' second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL in practice, prompting the team to seek additional depth at the position.
In exchange for Boutte, who was unlikely to receive a contract extension after his rookie deal, the Texans sent a seventh-round pick and safety Jayden Reed to New England. Boutte, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, had spent three seasons with the Patriots, where he established himself as a reliable pass-catcher.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Boutte during a recent practice following the trade's official announcement. Ryans highlighted Boutte's potential to fill the void left by Higgins, stating, "Adding Kayshon is a big get for us. We know we lost a significant player for us in Jayden Higgins. It's hard to replace him."
Ryans noted Boutte's history of making impactful plays, saying, "He's continued to make plays time and time again. He's shown up." He emphasized the young receiver's potential for growth, mentioning, "He's a young player. Still an ascending player with a lot to improve upon; a lot to grow."
Last season, Boutte recorded 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns, contributing to the Patriots' Super Bowl appearance. His performance marked his second consecutive season with over 30 catches and 500 yards, while also doubling his touchdown count from the previous year.
