The New England Patriots just shook up their wide receiver room again. On Monday, the team decided to trade Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans. It is a bold move that leaves the roster looking pretty light. We already saw the big moves for A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs earlier this offseason. Now, the departure of Boutte means the depth is even thinner than before.
A crowded top but a thin floor
The good news is the top of the group is elite. According to Pats Pulpit, A.J. Brown is a premier weapon for quarterback Drake Maye. He can handle the toughest cornerbacks and acts as a true WR1. Having him alongside Romeo Doubs gives the offense a great foundation. But the real issue is what happens after those two.
The depth behind the stars is not deep. Per Pats Pulpit, the 2024 sixth-round pick Tejhaun Palmer faces a massive uphill battle to even make the 53-man squad. He is currently viewed as a camp body. Even undrafted rookie Cameron Dorner only projects as a WR7 at best. The margin for error just got much smaller for this offense.
The path for young talent
The team still has some hope in the middle of the pack. Kyle Williams is a 23-year-old third-round pick from last year. Boutte served as the primary starter for most of his rookie season, relegating him to a backup role. Even with Boutte gone, the path to a starting role is still blocked by A.J. Brown. The Patriots are high on Williams, though. They believe he can contribute on special teams and as a kickoff return option.
No room for mistakes
The roster is already under pressure. A lack of depth at several spots might force the front office into some tough calls by the August 30 deadline. The wide receiver group is currently split into two groups. Six players like DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins are projected to be “In” for the 53-man roster. But with Boutte gone, the talent gap between the starters and the practice squad players is getting much wider.
