Patriots WR Drawing Trade Chatter During OTAs

The New England Patriots signed former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency, giving third-year quarterback Drake Maye a much-needed upgrade for the upcoming season.

Doubs might not be the only receiver the Patriots add this offseason. New England is expected to be the top suitor to trade for A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles after June 1.

Amid the changes on offense this offseason, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been absent for voluntary OTAs. It’s a critical offseason for the 2023 sixth-round pick as he is set to play on the final year of his rookie contract.

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Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested Boutte might be bait for a trade this summer and would likely fetch a Day 3 pick.

“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.

Boutte was the third-leading receiver for the Patriots in 2025, behind Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry, recording 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. During his first three seasons in the league, Boutte has recorded 78 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.

Boutte was a steal for the Patriots as a Day 3 pick. Before February’s Super Bowl, the receiver felt like his hard work in New England was paying off.

"Some days, we'll be sitting there and be like… We went through the tough times, so now it feels like everything's finally paying off,” Boutte said. “It's not always gonna be perfect…At the end of the day, we still gotta figure it out. We both still young, we both 23 years old. I mean, it's a long run ahead of us."

Boutte could be an interesting piece for the Patriots to package to the Eagles as part of a trade for Brown. Philadelphia selected Makai Lemon out of USC in the first round of April’s draft. The Eagles have DeVonta Smith.

The Eagles gave the Green Bay Packers a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a sixth-round pick in 2027 for Dontayvion Wicks. Adding Boutte would give Philadelphia more competition at receiver, something it will need if they lose their No. 1 WR in Brown.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 5:04 PM.