The Carolina Panthers are working to build a stronger offense to support young quarterback Bryce Young, and an unexpected opportunity may be emerging from the New England Patriots. According to an article from Sports Illustrated, the Panthers have been urged to contact the Patriots to inquire about the possibility of trading for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, a promising young talent facing stiff competition in New England’s crowded roster. If successful, this trade could be a major shock in the NFL trade market.
Kayshon Boutte – A Raw Gem of the Patriots
Kayshon Boutte, selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft from LSU, has shown significant potential in the past season. With explosive speed and reliable hands, Boutte is a deep-threat weapon. In the 2024 season, he recorded 589 receiving yards, an impressive figure for a young player in a sometimes inconsistent Patriots offense. However, with the arrival of Stefon Diggs and the development of other talents like Demario Douglas, Boutte’s role in the Patriots’ roster has become uncertain.
According to Sporting News, multiple sources ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft have mentioned the possibility of Boutte being traded. Changes in the Patriots’ coaching staff and offensive scheme could also make Boutte less of an ideal fit in Foxboro. This opens the door for teams like the Panthers, who are seeking additional weapons to bolster their offense.
What Do the Panthers Need from Boutte?
The Panthers made notable moves in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick and Jimmy Horn Jr. in a later round. However, their receiver corps still lacks depth and consistency. Xavier Legette, a 2024 first-round pick, has yet to fully break out as expected, while names like Jalen Coker and David Moore remain average contributors. Adam Thielen, though still a reliable target, has acknowledged that the 2025 season could be his last, per The Athletic.
In this context, Boutte could bring freshness and energy to the Panthers’ offense. His ability to run deep routes and create big plays would be a perfect complement to McMillan, who is regarded as a well-rounded receiver with top-15 NFL potential, according to an anonymous executive cited by The Athletic. The combination of Boutte, McMillan, and Legette could form a youthful trio of receivers, helping Bryce Young maximize his potential.
Is This Trade Feasible?
From the Patriots’ perspective, the team is in a rebuilding phase with a crowded receiver room. Beyond Diggs, they have Kyle Williams, Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and other talents. According to Yahoo Sports, trading Boutte could yield a sixth-round draft pick or a young player at a position of need, helping the Patriots clear roster space. With two years remaining on his rookie contract, Boutte is an attractive, cost-effective asset on the trade market.
For the Panthers, the cost to acquire Boutte might only be a mid-to-late-round draft pick, a reasonable price for a player with developmental upside. Moreover, this move aligns with head coach Dave Canales’ strategy of building a young, versatile offense to support Bryce Young, as highlighted in an article by Cat Crave.
Potential Impact
If this trade materializes, the Panthers would gain a dangerous weapon to compete in the NFC South, a division where they showed signs of improvement late in the 2024 season with a 5-12 record, per Yardbarker. Boutte could not only add competition to the roster but also become a game-changer if utilized correctly in Canales’ system.
Meanwhile, the Patriots could use the trade to continue reshaping their roster, focusing on more pressing needs like the offensive line or secondary. While losing a young talent, they have enough depth at receiver to maintain offensive strength.
Conclusion
The potential trade bringing Kayshon Boutte from the New England Patriots to the Carolina Panthers is an intriguing prospect. With an urgent need for a young, dynamic receiver, the Panthers could find in Boutte an ideal piece to support Bryce Young and build for the future. In turn, the Patriots would have the chance to optimize their roster. If a call from Carolina to Foxboro takes place, this could be one of the most notable trades of the 2025 offseason.