Patriots draft WRs Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas in sixth round
BOSTON -- Wide receiver was considered by many to be a position of need entering this year's NFL Draft for the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick, though, apparently felt otherwise, as he made eight picks before addressing that particular position.
It wasn't until the 187th overall pick that the Patriots picked up a wide receiver, taking Kayshon Boutte out of LSU in the sixth round.
The Patriots made it two straight picks at the position when they drafted Demario Douglas out of Liberty later in the round, at 210th overall.
Adam Schefter noted that it's the first time the Patriots have ever selected two wide receivers in the same round of any draft.
Patriots drafted two wide receivers in the 6th round - Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas - marking the first time New England ever has taken two wide receivers in the same round in a single draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2023
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Louisiana native had a bit of a down season in 2022, catching 48 passes for 538 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games played. He had caught 38 passes for 509 yards and nine touchdowns in just six games in 2021, and he caught 45 passes for 735 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman in 2020.
Hey hey Mac Jones, Bill Belichick…look at Kayshon Boutte droppin’ 3 TDs on Ole Miss 😅🔥
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 29, 2023
The @Patriots select the @LSUfootball WR at No. 187 overall.pic.twitter.com/0DbKUg6wTK
Boutte had originally decided to return to LSU for the 2023 season before ultimately declaring for the draft.
Part of Boutte's drop in production last year was attributed to a rough transition coming out of an injury and working with a new coaching staff, as Brian Kelly replaced Ed Orgeron after the 2021 season.
Douglas is just 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds and projects as a slot receiver. He caught 79 passes for 993 yards and six touchdowns last year, after cathing 52 passes for 701 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.