Texans acquire WR Kayshon Boutte from Patriots in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and draft pick
Houston traded safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick to New England for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, while the Patriots receive the pick and the player.
Houston and New England have completed a player exchange that sends wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Texans. In return, the Patriots receive safety Jaylen Reed, who appeared in seven games as a rookie last season, and a seventh-round selection in the 2028 draft.
The move follows Houston’s recent loss of wideout Jayden Higgins, who suffered a torn ACL during joint practices with the Las Vegas Raiders. Higgins, projected to be the team’s No. 2 receiver, had recorded 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.
Boutte, entering the final year of his contract, started 10 games for New England last season, posting 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Over the past two seasons he tied with tight end Hunter Henry for the most touchdown receptions by a Patriots player.
New England’s receiving corps has become crowded after acquiring A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs, leaving Boutte with limited opportunities. The Patriots drafted the 5-foot-11, 203-pound receiver in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of LSU.
In Houston, Boutte is expected to help replace the production lost with Higgins, who coach DeMeco Ryans described as a "significant" loss. He joins a receiver group that includes Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Tank Dell, Justin Watson and Lewis Bond behind leading receiver Nico Collins.