Kayshon Boutte trade rumors reemerge with NFL Draft, possible A.J. Brown move on the horizon

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kayshon Boutte #9 of the New England Patriots prepares during the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl LX gainst the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) | Getty Images Time, as they say, is a flat circle. Just ask New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who for a second straight offseason finds himself the target of trade speculation.

According to a report by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Boutte is “a name that has come up in trade talks” and that teams “believe he could be available for the right price. ” For Boutte and the Patriots, that is not an unfamiliar position. Heading into the 2025 draft, there already was speculation that he might be on the trade block.

However, no move eventually materialized, and the young wideout responded to the rumors by posting his most productive season to date. Coming off a year in which he played 55. 5% of offensive snaps and caught 42 passes for 719 yards and seven touchdowns in a combined 18 regular season and playoff games, the spotlight again is on the 23-year-old.

The circumstances have changed, though. For starters, Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie deal. If the Patriots plan to move on anyway and want to get a return that might exceed a possible compensatory draft pick, the time to strike might be now.