49ers should explore trade for Patriots $3.6 million wide receiver
The New England Patriots appear to be shopping one of their wide receivers, and the San Francisco 49ers should be looking into that trade.
The San Francisco 49ers may need to make one final change to their evolving receiving corps by exploring a trade for New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Boutte is likely available for a late pick in next year's draft. "Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte, I think, could be had for a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick right now, if anyone has an interest in him," Breer wrote in a column published Monday.
Boutte is coming off back-to-back productive years in New England where he caught a combined 76 of 114 targets for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, it makes sense that the Patriots would look to move on from a player they don't intend on paying when he hits unrestricted free agency next offseason. For the 49ers the addition comes at the cost of a late-round pick in next year's draft.
Boutte is also due to count for just $3. 7 million against the salary cap in the 2026 season, so the financial risk is relatively low. But where would Boutte fit into the 49ers' revamped receiving corps?
This would be a move to bolster depth at a position where health is a massive question mark for the three players atop the 49ers' depth chart. Mike Evans dealt with a nagging hamstring issue a season ago that limited him to eight games. Ricky Pearsall missed eight games with a knee injury, and Christian Kirk has played a combined 33 games across the last three seasons.