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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots pulled off the trade everyone was expecting.
A.J. Brown has now joined the Pats from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for picks in the first and fifth rounds.
That could set up a follow-up maneuver, though.
Kayshon Boutte is speculated by some as the next domino. The wide receiver is now No. 3 on the depth chart behind Brown and Romeo Doubs.
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky was quick to jump on this train of thought:
Does someone called NE about Boutte?
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) June 2, 2026MORE: Myles Garrett's Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings
It would make some sense, and Boutte might not even mind. He went from WR2 behind Stefon Diggs last year to WR3 heading into this season.
Boutte is also entering a contract year, so if the Pats don't see him signing a long-term deal to stick around, that makes him an even more logical trade candidate.
In 2025, Boutte was quite the reliable target for Drake Maye. Every single one of his regular season catches went for either a first down or a touchdown.
There'd certainly be nothing wrong from a roster-building standpoint with the Patriots entering the year with Boutte as their third wideout in what would be an impressive first three spots on the depth chart.
But if they feel they have a need elsewhere that Boutte could be swapped to improve, it's probably something worth exploring. The Patriots have given themselves a bit of a surplus.
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