The New England Patriots may not have a true No. 1 receiver on their roster, but the battle at the position in training camp and one preseason game is still a competitive one.
With Kendrick Bourne (PUP), DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Barker essentially locks to make the roster, there may only be a spot or two open at the position out of camp.
One player who has supreme confidence in himself and his chances of being on the 53-man roster for Week 1 is second-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
“I feel like we’re all fighting for a job, but there’s not a doubt in my mind that I'm gonna make the team," he said. "You know, I feel like I'm doing everything that I'm supposed to make the team.”
New England selected Boutte in the sixth round of last year's draft out of LSU, and despite being a Day 3 pick, some expected the former Tiger to have a strong showing as a rookie.
Instead, he appeared in just five games and caught two passes for 19 yards. He followed that up by getting in legal trouble (charges eventually dropped) over the offseason for sports betting during his time at LSU.
In the Patriots' preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Boutte was the team's leading receiver, bringing in three passes for 53 yards, including an impressive grab on a Bailey Zappe pass.
Hell of a grab by Kayshon Boutte. Wow pic.twitter.com/RgaWbWr5TE
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) August 9, 2024
Still, he'll have to beat out Jaen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, Kawaan Baker, JaQuae Jackson and David Wallis.
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