Among the ways the [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) can keep improving on both sides of the ball heading into this season, most see the defense as the bigger priority.
Right now, the Patriots could still use another edge rusher, something that would be ideal for the defense. Mike Vrabel has consistently proven he has an above-average defensive mind, so getting him decent players on that side of the ball should lead to immediate success.
The one thing the Patriots must recognize, however, is that it could force them to move on from players they like.
As of right now, it's tough to tell whether Kayshon Boutte is somebody New England wants to keep around. Regardless, one reporter recently suggested that if he were traded and the Patriots could get something of value for him, like an edge rusher, it could be worth considering.
“It’s not a commentary on Boutte. It’s about dealing from a position of strength. The Patriots appear to have depth at wide receiver, and there is some positional redundancy when you consider Boutte and A.J. Brown. You have to move cautiously and consider the market, but if you can get a Day 2 pick, or a player at a position of need (edge rusher?), it’s a possibility worth considering,” Christopher Price [wrote](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/14/sports/patriots-mailbag-kayshon-boutte/).
It's really tough to say that Boutte should be traded because everybody knows the type of production that he can give New England.
At the same time, the Patriots have a slew of wide receivers on their roster, so moving on from one of them seems like something that's almost inevitable at this point.
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