Houston Texans: Acquire Underrated 4th-Year WR from Rival 1
The Houston Texans have addressed the wide receiver position following Jayden Higgins’ injury and Tank Dell’s uncertain status for Week 1. Last Friday, the Texans signed Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones. Shepard spent the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hauled in 71 receptions for 705 yards and two touchdowns across 28 appearances, including the playoffs. Jones spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, recording 20 receptions for 267 yards across 19 games and most recently missing the final eight weeks with a torn Achilles.
Despite these additions, the Texans lack a clear-cut No. 2 receiver option.
New England Patriots, Kayshon BoutteNew England Patriots, Kayshon Boutte
Oct 26, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) reacts to the win against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the New England Patriots have traded Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans. The Texans acquire Boutte, while the Patriots receive Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The underrated wide receiver’s time in New England was expected to come to an end following the signing of Romeo Doubs and the trade for A.J. Brown. He is expected to slide into the No. 2 receiver role behind Nico Collins.
Trade! The Patriots are sending WR Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. pic.twitter.com/NZXCdOX4RT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2026
Houston acquires a one-year, $3.674 million contract, per Over The Cap. If Boutte signs with a different team this offseason, the front office could receive a compensatory pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.
Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign
USATSI 21982599 168400517 lowres scaledUSATSI 21982599 168400517 lowres scaled
Nov 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (80) looks on at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Kayshon Boutte had a solid 2025 campaign, finishing fifth on the team in receptions, third in receiving yards, and second in touchdowns during the regular season. Boutte hauled in 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns across 14 regular-season games, having missed three weeks with a hamstring injury and a concussion. He also added nine receptions for 168 yards in the playoffs, including an impressive one-handed, 32-yard snag for a touchdown in the Divisional Round against the Texans.
More Texans news