The New England Patriots are trading receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for safety Jaylen Reed, sources told The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero. New England will also receive a 2028 seventh-round pick, according to Ian Rapoport.
He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and had requested a trade earlier this offseason, per NBC Sports Boston’s Michael Hurley. Boutte caught 78 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns over three seasons in New England.
Boutte will now get a fresh start in Houston after finding himself in a crowded receiver room with the Patriots. New England brought in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason to help boost its receiving room, which also features returning veterans like DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Mike Vrabel also came out recently and made it clear that if Boutte was to stay on the team, he would be inactive most weeks due to the receiver depth and the fact that he wasn’t a special teamer.
The Texans, meanwhile, add a much needed piece to their receiver group after Jayden Higgins recently suffered a season-ending ACL injury and Tank Dell is starting the season on the PUP. Boutte will compete for targets with Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Jaylin Noel while realistically being the wide receiver two out there with Nico Collins. 
As for Jaylen Reed, he is expected to help improve the back end of the Patriots’ defense alongside fellow safeties Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson.
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