If you told New England Patriots fans a year ago that Kayshon Boutte would be a household name heading into Super Bowl LX, they probably would have asked if you were playing Madden on rookie mode. But here we are. After a rookie year spent mostly on the sidelines as a healthy scratch, the former sixth-round pick has transformed into one of the NFL’s most lethal deep threats.
When asked by reporters what sparked this sudden career-best resurgence, Boutte didn’t need a long-winded speech. He summed it up in two words: “Drake Maye.”
It’s easy to see why the wideout is feeling grateful. The 2025 season saw the New England Patriots offense evolve from a stagnant unit into a high-flying juggernaut under the leadership of Maye, the presumptive NFL MVP. Boutte, playing 90.4% of his snaps out wide as a true “X” receiver, became the primary beneficiary of Maye’s cannon arm.
The numbers from tell a story of sheer efficiency. During the regular season, Boutte averaged a massive 16.7 yards per catch, hauling in 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. He wasn’t just catching dink-and-dunk passes; he was hurting defenses vertically, ranking fourth in the league in average air yards per target, 15.9.
The “Maye-to-Boutte” connection hasn’t cooled off in the postseason. In the Divisional Round win against the Houston Texans, Boutte was the focal point of the passing attack. He led the team with 75 receiving yards on three catches, including a dagger 32-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the 28-16 victory.
Even when the weather turned ugly in the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos, Boutte remained a target-hog, tying for the team lead with six targets in a gritty 10-7 win.
As the Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in San Francisco for the Lombardi Trophy, Boutte’s rise from a Day 3 draft pick to a primary weapon is a testament to his chemistry with Maye. In New England, the “X” finally marks the spot.
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