Patriots trade wide receiver Kayslon Boutte to Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and draft pick
New England sent Kayshon Boutte to Houston in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round selection, while the Texans add depth at receiver after losing a starter to injury.
The New England Patriots have traded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans. In return, the Patriots will receive safety Jaylen Reed and a seventh-round pick in the 2028 draft, according to reports from The Ringer and ESPN.
Boutte, a sixth-round pick from LSU in 2023, requested a trade after falling on the depth chart following the addition of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. The move clears space for Brown, Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism on New England’s 53-man roster and adds safety depth and a future draft asset.
Reed, a 2025 sixth-rounder out of Penn State, joins a Patriots safety group that includes Craig Woodson, Kevin Byard and others. He recorded 14 tackles and a fumble recovery in seven games as a rookie and missed part of the 2025 season with injuries.
Houston acquired Boutte to address a shortage at wide receiver after starter Jayden Higgens was sidelined with a torn ACL. Boutte, who posted 78 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns with New England, will compete for playing time alongside Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel, and will have three weeks to learn the offense of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised Boutte’s professionalism, noting his effort in camp and his contributions when called upon. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing also highlighted Boutte’s work ethic.
Reed reacted to the trade on social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunity with the Texans and referencing his faith.
The transaction gives the Patriots additional safety depth and a draft pick, while the Texans add a receiver who posted over 500 yards in each of his last two seasons and could fill the void left by Higgens.