Charges Dropped Against Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte

Kayshon Boutte and the New England Patriots received good news last week. It was reported that the charges against the wide receiver were being dropped. The news leaves no legal issues hanging over the wide receiver’s head heading into training camp.

Boutte had been arrested on Jan. 25, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. The charges against Boutte stemmed from online gambling. This included creating a fake account so that he could gamble while under the legal age limit (21). Initial reports indicated that Boutte had placed nearly 9,000 bets, including on himself while he played for the LSU Tigers. He deposited $132,000 into the account and won over $556,000.

The charges against Kayshon Boutte were computer fraud (a felony) and gaming prohibited for persons under 21 (a misdemeanor). It remains unclear at this time why the charges against Boutte were dropped.

Future in Foxboro

New England drafted Boutte in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of LSU. He was active for only five games as a rookie, though fans were hoping to see more of him due. to the lack of playmaking on the Patriots roster. He caught two passes for 19 yards on the season.

The Patriots’ wide receiver situation was classified as a “wide-open competition” by head coach Jerod Mayo heading into training camp. That would be good news for Boutte, who appears to have an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster. DeMario Douglas and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk are the only locks for the roster. Kendrick Bourne is also a lock, though he could begin the season on PUP or IR, opening up another spot, at least temporarily. Rookie Javon Baker is likely to make the roster as well. That leaves Boutte fighting with JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, Kawaan Baker, and UDFAs JaQuae Jackson and David Wallis for a roster spot.

Whether Kayshon Boutte makes the New England Patriots 53-man roster is TBD in training camp. But not having legal charges looming for the second-year wide receiver certainly doesn’t hurt his chances. Here’s hoping the situation helped Boutte mature and focus on his NFL future. He has enough pure talent to be a difference-maker for a team sorely needing more of them.