Texans Bolster Receiving Corps
Houston Texans Acquire Wide Receiver Kayshon Boutte From New England Patriots in Trade
Key Points
Boutte is a proven downfield threat, averaging 16.7 yards per catch in the regular season (4th in the NFL) and 18.7 yards per catch in the playoffs.
Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie deal, with a base salary of $3.674 million for the 2026 season.
Jaylen Reed, a 2025 sixth-round pick, recorded 14 tackles last season for the Texans, with 12 of those coming in the Nov. 20 win over the Bills.
The trade is part of Houston’s push to upgrade its receiving corps after Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending ACL injury in joint practice with the Raiders.
Houston expects Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel to contribute in the passing game, though Noel has been limited by injuries during training camp.
The New England Patriots traded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick. WCVB reported the deal came after Boutte requested a trade and the Texans lost receiver Jayden Higgins to a season-ending ACL injury. Boutte, a proven deep-ball threat averaging 16.7 yards per catch in the regular season, gives Houston an offensive upgrade as they prepare for Week 1.
Why Boutte Asked Out of New England
Boutte emerged as a deep-ball threat for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Yet the Patriots added new offensive weapons this offseason, crowding the receiver room. Boston Herald confirmed Boutte requested the trade. In three seasons, he caught 78 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He enters the final year of his rookie deal with a base salary of $3.674 million.
Houston Rebuilds Its Receiver Room After Higgins Injury
The Texans lost receiver Jayden Higgins to an ACL injury in joint practice with the Raiders. Sporting News reported Boutte provides valuable help to replace that production. Houston now expects Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel to contribute in the passing game. Noel has been limited by injuries during training camp. Boutte will join Nico Collins in the Texans' receiving corps.
Who the Patriots Got in Return
The Patriots receive safety Jaylen Reed and a seventh-round pick in the deal. Reed is a young defender who recorded 14 tackles last season for the Texans. He had 12 tackles in Houston's November 20 win over the Bills. USA Today Patriots Wire reported the complete terms of the trade. New England recalibrates its defense while reshuffling receivers behind A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
Boutte's Track Record as an Elite Deep Threat
Boutte excels at stretching defenses vertically. He averages 16.7 yards per catch in the regular season — fourth-best in the NFL. In the playoffs, he averages 18.7 yards per catch. These numbers show he can win on downfield routes. The Texans hope he becomes a reliable target for their passing attack during their critical 2025 season.
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