Who Should I Start? Kayshon Boutte or Ja'Lynn Polk

Wednesday, April 23, 1:09 PM

With new head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm, the New England Patriots are open to trading players from the previous coaching staff, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz, and one name to watch is wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. The former LSU wideout will turn 23 in May and had 43 catches for 589 yards and three touchdowns on 68 targets over 15 games (13 starts) in his second year in the NFL. The Patriots selected the 22-year-old pass-catcher in the sixth round (187th overall) in the 2023 NFL draft. Boutte only had two catches on seven targets for 19 yards in his rookie campaign in five games played in New England, and although receiver is a position of need for the organization despite the fact that added Stefon Diggs this offseason, it sounds like Boutte is expendable. Even if Boutte isn't traded, expect the Patriots to address their receiver depth in this week's NFL draft.

Friday, January 3, 6:55 PM

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.