‘Kayshon’s had a robust camp’: Invoice Belichick praised Kayshon Boutte forward of cutdown day

Patriots

Boutte solely performed one drive in Friday’s preseason finale, which may very well be a superb signal for his possibilities to make the 53-man roster.

Kayshon Boutte scored a landing within the preseason for the Patriots. Morry Gash/AP Picture

If you happen to assume Kayshon Boutte has gotten higher all through coaching camp and the preseason, Invoice Belichick would agree with you.

When the Patriots coach was requested in regards to the rookie receiver’s development throughout a video press convention Saturday, he co-signed the notion that Boutte improved all through coaching camp and had a robust finish to the summer season.

“I feel simply the best way you set it sums it up fairly nicely,” Belichick mentioned when requested if he thought Boutte received higher throughout coaching camp. “He didn’t do so much within the spring, and as camp went on appeared to get stronger and extra productive, each in follow and video games, actually in the entire areas that he labored into.

“So, that was very encouraging, and he confirmed explosive capacity on the sector when he performed.”

Boutte was reportedly one of many standouts at broad receiver within the remaining weeks of coaching camp, making catches from each Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

The momentum from these practices carried into the Patriots’ preseason recreation in opposition to the Packers final week. Boutte turned a reception off a slant from Zappe right into a 42-yard landing.

That play confirmed a number of the promise he offered in the course of the earlier a part of his profession at LSU. He had 83 receptions for 1,244 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first 16 video games with the Tigers earlier than struggling an ankle fracture in the course of the 2021 season.

That damage slowed down Boutte as some believed he might’ve been a first-round decide within the 2023 NFL Draft previous to the 2022 season. After a comparatively underwhelming 2022 season, Boutte was picked within the sixth spherical of the draft by the Patriots.

Boutte gave the impression to be removed from a lock to make the Patriots’ roster for a lot of the offseason as Belichick famous that he didn’t do a lot within the spring. The emergence of fellow sixth-round rookie receiver Demario Douglas additionally appeared to make it unlikely that Boutte would make the roster.

However after the final couple of weeks, it seems Boutte is on monitor to make New England’s 53-man roster when groups should make their remaining cutdowns forward of Tuesday’s deadline. He solely performed the opening drive of Friday’s preseason finale, through which the Patriots didn’t play a lot of their starters.

Belichick didn’t make any declarations about Boutte’s roster standing. However he nonetheless praised the receiver.

“He’s had a superb camp,” Belichick mentioned. “And once more, we’ll simply check out every part right here as we put issues collectively over the weekend right here after which heading into the common season. However yeah, Kayshon’s had a robust camp.”