Draft Analysis: Kayshon Boutte

January 10, 2023 /
  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 195 lb
  • College: LSU
  • Tape watched: Tennessee, Florida, Auburn 2021, UCLA 2021
  • College Comparison: Jalen Reagor

Pros

  • Physicality
    I am not sure you will find a receiver built sturdier than Boutte in 2023. Top to bottom he carries weight and muscle extremely well. He runs behind his pads and slips a ton of tackles. Simply enough, he is built like a running back.
  • Release
    Great strength and good footwork usually lend themselves to solid releases, and Boutte is no exception. He has a very good feel for press alignment and defensive back tendencies. He has a nice punch, active hands throughout, and fast feet that have purpose during press coverage.
Boutte gets the defender reaching, and closes the door for his inside break.
  • Tracking
    Boutte finds the football. Whether or not he catches the football, every ball thrown at Boutte had a chance at completion. Fix the follow through, and he could be a target hog.
  • Playmaking
    Kayshon Boutte should be a RAC, YAC, any-other-AC star in the NFL. He has great ball carrier vision, powerful legs, and the knack for extending plays. He reportedly can run under 4.4s in the 40 yard dash, so that just adds to his big play abilities.

Midline

  • Route Running
    More of a positive than midline, Boutte showed detail and commitment to his route running. He gets a midline grade for the lack of versatility in the routes he was asked to run. Boutte sets up defenders well, by having nice vertical fakes on every route. He has nice burst in his cuts with good body movement to pair. He did a really nice job of angling and driving back to the throw, also.
Great bend around the flat defender, and then Boutte curls back to the quarterback.
The way Boutte releases inside, attacks the inside shoulder of the safety, then hits his out route is good stuff.
Boutte just needs to fight for position and finish the route here.

Cons

  • Hands
    Focus over skill, Boutte struggle mightily catching the football consistently. I’d be willing to bet he led the NCAA in dropped passes over the last two years, absent a stat available to me. He tracks the ball extremely well, but contact at the catch-point and even elementary plays result in the ball on the ground. Teams have to be concerned with the amount of focus drops in college. He showed nice, strong hands, and using them more often to keep the ball off his pads could go a long way.
  • Downfield Presence
    Draft Boutte, throw him in your slot, create space for him, and prosper. Boutte thrives underneath coverage where he can get the ball quickly. You’d like to see a renowned speedster have more plays that stretch the defense, however. Hopefully he can expand his route tree in the NFL.
  • Blocking/Versatility
    Boutte simply wasn’t used, or asked, to block outside of the slot.

Overview

Any coach from the Shanahan or McVay tree should be foaming at the mouth to draft Boutte. The scheme fit in those offenses is simply perfect. Boutte is a high upside, playmaking slot receiver.

There are major hurdles, including strange red flags off the field, for Boutte to clear. He has a very unique and coveted set of skills as a receiver, and I hope he finds and hits his ceiling in the NFL. His performance at the combine has plummeted his draft stock to the point the buy-in is now worth the risk.