Injuries cost Boutte three full games and most of another in 2025, but he otherwise performed well as a low-volume deep threat, leading all qualified pass catchers with 12.0 yards per target. The problem is that he barely qualified, averaging 2.4 catches for 39.4 yards on 3.3 targets per game (over 14 games). The Patriots upgraded in the offseason, adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, which eventually led to Boutte being traded to Houston in late August after Jayden Higgins suffered an ACL injury. With his new team, Boutte is the favorite to start opposite Nico Collins, though it may not be a high-volume role in terms of targets. Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Tank Dell (knee) are the other main candidates for WR snaps.