Making sense of Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams and Patriots' receiver depth chart

Posted by Admin July 27, 2026 NFL

Making sense of Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams and Patriots’ receiver depth chart originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A.J. Brown is the No. 1 receiver for the New England Patriots. That much is a rock-solid guarantee. Write it down in pen.

After that, though, it’s difficult to state anything definitively.

Behind door No. 1 is Romeo Doubs, whom the Patriots signed in free agency with a four-year deal worth up to $68 million, with $39 million guaranteed. That’s a real contract.

But then there is Kayshon Boutte, who looked like a goner when he skipped voluntary OTAs but has now picked up where he left off, displaying a natural connection with Drake Maye on the practice field.

“They certainly paid Doubs like he’s the No. 2, but I never felt last year watching the Patriots that Romeo Doubs was a whole level above a guy like Kayshon Boutte,” WEEI’s Adam Jones said on Early Edition. “So, I think that’s worth that competition, and I wouldn’t be surprised if [Boutte] beat him out outright.”

Patriots insider Tom E. Curran said that Boutte’s spot on the roster should be secure, despite the wide receiver room being crowded.

“He just doesn’t wow you with his physical skill, but he’s incredibly productive,” Curran said. “To me, I wouldn’t move on from him, and he’s only shown that throughout this camp.”

Also in the mix is Kyle Williams, a third-round pick just a year ago who only caught 10 passes as a rookie. The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan said that Williams “looks like WR7” on the depth chart behind Brown, Boutte, Doubs, Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas and Efton Chism.

“When the offensive personnel was divided up late, [Williams] was not among the 6 WRs with Maye and the other offensive starters,” Callahan reported from camp on Monday.

Though the Patriots invested a Day 2 pick on Williams last year, many are left to wonder if the team might actually move on from the talented receiver after just one season.

“I have concerns about his productivity, not necessarily about his spot on the roster,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t expect the Patriots to move on, but they moved on from Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker a year ago. But odd man out in terms of snaps, odd man out in terms of not necessarily being a part of the game plan. That’s how I would look at him early on.”

Curran noted that usage of receivers at this point in camp can be as reflective of what the team is working on — i.e. the run game — as it could be about actual spots on the depth chart.

“I wouldn’t run too far with that observation until we see some 11-on-11 with pads and him just collecting dust,” Curran said.

Training camp is only a few days old, but the wide receiver roster battles are already fascinating. It’s certain to be among the biggest stories to watch in Foxboro for the remainder of the summer.