The Texans made a nice move earlier this week, patching the Jayden Higgins hole with a wide receiver who's a little more established than their in-house options. They traded the Patriots safety Jaylen Reed for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
It's a nice pickup, bringing in a player who's been rumored to be on the block since basically forever. Maybe Patriots fans can speak to why that's the case. I understand they've brought in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, and they weren't going to be giving Boutte a new contract after the season. But I don't really know what about Boutte they didn't like. Is Doubs better than he is?
Boutte started 10 games for New England last year, but was generally part of a rotation. He averaged just 2.4 catches and 39 yards per game, so not a guy you could comfortably start in fantasy leagues.
But he had a red-zone role, and was productive in that regard. Of his 33 receptions, 6 went for touchdowns. Among all the league's wide receivers with at least 25 receptions last year, only two turned a higher percentage of their catches into touchdowns. Davante Adams, and Tee Higgins.
| WIDE RECEIVER TD PERCENTAGE, 2025 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | %TD |
| Davante Adams, LAR | 114 | 60 | 789 | 13.2 | 14 | 23.3% |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 98 | 59 | 846 | 14.3 | 11 | 18.6% |
| Kayshon Boutte, N.E. | 46 | 33 | 551 | 16.7 | 6 | 18.2% |
| Christian Watson, G.B. | 55 | 35 | 611 | 17.5 | 6 | 17.1% |
| Jauan Jennings, S.F. | 90 | 55 | 643 | 11.7 | 9 | 16.4% |
| Quentin Johnston, LAC | 84 | 51 | 735 | 14.4 | 8 | 15.7% |
| Jayden Higgins, Hou. | 68 | 41 | 525 | 12.8 | 6 | 14.6% |
| Rome Odunze, Chi. | 90 | 44 | 661 | 15.0 | 6 | 13.6% |
| Alec Pierce, Ind. | 84 | 47 | 1003 | 21.3 | 6 | 12.8% |
| DJ Moore, Chi. | 85 | 50 | 682 | 13.6 | 6 | 12.0% |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 59 | 36 | 395 | 11.0 | 4 | 11.1% |
| Romeo Doubs, G.B. | 85 | 55 | 724 | 13.2 | 6 | 10.9% |
| Jameson Williams, Det. | 102 | 65 | 1117 | 17.2 | 7 | 10.8% |
| Keon Coleman, Buff. | 59 | 38 | 404 | 10.6 | 4 | 10.5% |
| Drake London, Atl. | 112 | 68 | 919 | 13.5 | 7 | 10.3% |
| Hollywood Brown, K.C. | 74 | 49 | 587 | 12.0 | 5 | 10.2% |
| DK Metcalf, Pitt. | 99 | 59 | 850 | 14.4 | 6 | 10.2% |
| Tetairoa McMillan, Car. | 122 | 70 | 1014 | 14.5 | 7 | 10.0% |
| Ryan Flournoy, Dall. | 56 | 40 | 475 | 11.9 | 4 | 10.0% |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 62 | 30 | 368 | 12.3 | 3 | 10.0% |
| Marvin Harrison, Ari. | 73 | 41 | 608 | 14.8 | 4 | 9.8% |
| Elic Ayomanor, Ten. | 89 | 41 | 515 | 12.6 | 4 | 9.8% |
| George Pickens, Dall. | 137 | 93 | 1429 | 15.4 | 9 | 9.7% |
| DeMario Douglas, N.E. | 46 | 31 | 447 | 14.4 | 3 | 9.7% |
| Calvin Austin, Pitt. | 55 | 31 | 372 | 12.0 | 3 | 9.7% |
| Emeka Egbuka, T.B. | 127 | 63 | 938 | 14.9 | 6 | 9.5% |
| Courtland Sutton, Den. | 124 | 74 | 1017 | 13.7 | 7 | 9.5% |
| Rashee Rice, K.C. | 78 | 53 | 571 | 10.8 | 5 | 9.4% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 172 | 117 | 1401 | 12.0 | 11 | 9.4% |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 100 | 64 | 910 | 14.2 | 6 | 9.4% |
| Troy Franklin, Den. | 104 | 65 | 709 | 10.9 | 6 | 9.2% |
| Ladd McConkey, LAC | 106 | 66 | 789 | 12.0 | 6 | 9.1% |
| Jalen Coker, Car. | 43 | 33 | 394 | 11.9 | 3 | 9.1% |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 156 | 100 | 1163 | 11.6 | 9 | 9.0% |
| Michael Wilson, Ari. | 126 | 78 | 1006 | 12.9 | 7 | 9.0% |
| A.J. Brown, Phil. | 121 | 78 | 1003 | 12.9 | 7 | 9.0% |
| Tre Tucker, L.V. | 92 | 57 | 696 | 12.2 | 5 | 8.8% |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 111 | 80 | 784 | 9.8 | 7 | 8.8% |
| Parker Washington, Jac. | 95 | 58 | 847 | 14.6 | 5 | 8.6% |
| Xavier Hutchinson, Hou. | 57 | 35 | 428 | 12.2 | 3 | 8.6% |
| Xavier Legette, Car. | 64 | 35 | 363 | 10.4 | 3 | 8.6% |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 120 | 71 | 1117 | 15.7 | 6 | 8.5% |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea. | 163 | 119 | 1793 | 15.1 | 10 | 8.4% |
| Chimere Dike, Ten. | 74 | 48 | 423 | 8.8 | 4 | 8.3% |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 60 | 38 | 582 | 15.3 | 3 | 7.9% |
| Puka Nacua, LAR | 166 | 129 | 1715 | 13.3 | 10 | 7.8% |
| Jordan Addison, Min. | 79 | 42 | 610 | 14.5 | 3 | 7.1% |
| Deebo Samuel, Was. | 99 | 72 | 727 | 10.1 | 5 | 6.9% |
| Josh Downs, Ind. | 88 | 58 | 566 | 9.8 | 4 | 6.9% |
| Dontayvion Wicks, G.B. | 46 | 30 | 332 | 11.1 | 2 | 6.7% |
| Malik Washington, Mia. | 65 | 46 | 317 | 6.9 | 3 | 6.5% |
| Ja'Marr Chase, Cin. | 185 | 125 | 1412 | 11.3 | 8 | 6.4% |
| Andrei Iosivas, Cin. | 58 | 33 | 435 | 13.2 | 2 | 6.1% |
| Adonai Mitchell, 2TM | 74 | 33 | 453 | 13.7 | 2 | 6.1% |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 51 | 33 | 360 | 10.9 | 2 | 6.1% |
| John Metchie, 2TM | 48 | 33 | 274 | 8.3 | 2 | 6.1% |
| Zay Flowers, Balt. | 118 | 86 | 1211 | 14.1 | 5 | 5.8% |
| Khalil Shakir, Buff. | 95 | 72 | 719 | 10.0 | 4 | 5.6% |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 113 | 77 | 1008 | 13.1 | 4 | 5.2% |
| Olamide Zaccheaus, Chi. | 65 | 39 | 313 | 8.0 | 2 | 5.1% |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 122 | 81 | 777 | 9.6 | 4 | 4.9% |
| Stefon Diggs, N.E. | 102 | 85 | 1013 | 11.9 | 4 | 4.7% |
| Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG | 140 | 92 | 1014 | 11.0 | 4 | 4.3% |
| Mack Hollins, N.E. | 65 | 46 | 550 | 12.0 | 2 | 4.3% |
| Luther Burden, Chi. | 60 | 47 | 652 | 13.9 | 2 | 4.3% |
| Cooper Kupp, Sea. | 70 | 47 | 593 | 12.6 | 2 | 4.3% |
| Brian Thomas, Jac. | 91 | 48 | 707 | 14.7 | 2 | 4.2% |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 117 | 75 | 1077 | 14.4 | 3 | 4.0% |
| Jakobi Meyers, 2TM | 110 | 75 | 835 | 11.1 | 3 | 4.0% |
| Jerry Jeudy, Cle. | 106 | 50 | 602 | 12.0 | 2 | 4.0% |
| Rashid Shaheed, 2TM | 92 | 59 | 687 | 11.6 | 2 | 3.4% |
| Tre Harris, LAC | 43 | 30 | 324 | 10.8 | 1 | 3.3% |
| Pat Bryant, Den. | 49 | 31 | 378 | 12.2 | 1 | 3.2% |
| Darnell Mooney, Atl. | 72 | 32 | 443 | 13.8 | 1 | 3.1% |
| Tyler Lockett, 2TM | 55 | 32 | 291 | 9.1 | 1 | 3.1% |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.C. | 45 | 33 | 345 | 10.5 | 1 | 3.0% |
| Darius Slayton, NYG | 63 | 37 | 538 | 14.5 | 1 | 2.7% |
| Marvin Mims, Den. | 51 | 37 | 322 | 8.7 | 1 | 2.7% |
| Sterling Shepard, T.B. | 53 | 39 | 371 | 9.5 | 1 | 2.6% |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 141 | 84 | 1048 | 12.5 | 2 | 2.4% |
| Xavier Worthy, K.C. | 73 | 42 | 532 | 12.7 | 1 | 2.4% |
| Kendrick Bourne, S.F. | 53 | 37 | 551 | 14.9 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Ricky Pearsall, S.F. | 53 | 36 | 528 | 14.7 | 0 | 0.0% |
We'll see, but I think this greatly reduces the potential for Jaylin Noel or Xavier Hutchinson to be breakout wideouts for Houston this year. The Texans also have Tank Dell, but I've been thinking they'd limit his snaps for a while, easing him back from injury.
I don't know if Boutte will be their No. 2, or more usable on a regular basis than he was in New England. But he's the wide receiver I'd be interested in selecting with a later pick, rather than the other options. Looks like a solid pickup for them.
--Andy Richardson
