Kayshon Boutte’s name rising in trade speculation this spring creates more intrigue over the direction that the New England Patriots will take in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Patriots’ imminent trade talks with the Philadelphia Eagles regarding a deal for wide receiver A.J. Brown calls for less of a need to take a top wide receiver prospect with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft. Several prospects, including KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), and Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) have been forecasted to land in New England with the pick.

Trade speculation surrounding Boutte does not lessen the effect of the anticipated trade for Brown after June 1 to the point of necessitating a wide receiver with pick No. 31. However, it still places an onus on the position early in the draft. Boutte finished third for New England in receiving yards in 2025 with 551 yards. He was one of their best deep-ball threats last season.

However, the Louisiana native is approaching the final year of his four-year, $4 million rookie deal with the Patriots in 2026. The Patriots have the opportunity to move off Boutte’s expiring contract while his value is high following a Super Bowl appearance at the end of last season.

There is depth at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft class, with Germie Bernard (Alabama) and Zachariah Branch (Georgia) being fitting prospects for New England to consider on Day 2 of the event.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Kayshon Boutte trade speculation shakes up Patriots’ draft outlook