Patriots trade WR Kayshon Boutte for secondary depth

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Patriots trade expendable WR Kayshon Boutte for secondary depth

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Aug 24, 2026 4:38 PM ET

In a roster shakeup three weeks before the regular season gets underway, the New England Patriots traded a wide receiver for help in the secondary.

On Monday, the Patriots dealt Kayshon Boutte in exchange for Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick, per Ian Rapoport.

Kayshon Boutte became expendable for the Patriots

With newcomer A.J. Brown, acquired earlier in the offseason, leading a wide receiver room that also includes Mack Hollins, the Patriots viewed Boutte as expendable.

They also decided to focus on shoring up the defense, believing the offense will be much improved in another season of 2025 MVP runner-up Drake Maye compared to last year.

Even with Brown expected to elevate the entire operation, Boutte's production will still be missed if Kyle Dixon and even Kobe Prentice don't step up as complementary pieces as well.

TRADE: Patriots trading WR Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for S Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/BXHx1Q1YbZ
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2026

Boutte, an LSU product who owns the single-game Southeastern Conference record for receiving yards with 308 yards on 14 receptions and three scores in a 2020 matchup against Ole Miss, caught 33 passes for 551 yards and scored a career-high six touchdowns in 2025.

Jaylen Reed could take his game to another level with more opportunities in New England

However, the Patriots are also hoping Jaylen Reed can take his game to another level in his sophomore NFL season. He made 14 tackles with a fumble recovery in seven games as a rookie with Houston after being drafted in the sixth round in 2025.

But if the Patriots' belief in Reed pays off, they will likely look back on this trade as a big win for the franchise and for their plans to build a strong defense for years to come.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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