Patriots Trade Kayshon Boutte to Texans for Jaylen Reed and Draft Pick

The New England Patriots agreed to trade wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans on Aug. 24 in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick, according to team and league sources.

Houston moved to secure the fourth-year wideout after losing projected starter Jayden Higgins to a season-ending knee injury during joint practice sessions with the Las Vegas Raiders. Higgins had logged 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in 2025.

Boutte recorded 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns last year, anchoring New England's downfield passing game alongside quarterback Drake Maye. Over the last two seasons, his nine touchdown receptions tied tight end Hunter Henry for the highest mark on the Patriots roster.

New England made the transaction after reshaping its receiving corps through high-profile offseason acquisitions. The Patriots traded for A.J. Brown in June and signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract in March, crowding a unit that also features DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III.

"whether it's here or somewhere else." said Kayshon Boutte, Wide Receiver.

Boutte was entering the final season of his rookie contract after being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of LSU. His departure leaves New England with six primary wide receivers ahead of the mandatory 53-man roster cutdown deadline on Aug. 30.

"a very deep team," said Mike Vrabel, Head Coach.

Vrabel made the remark two days prior to the trade while assessing the team's depth. The acquisition of Reed provides New England with additional secondary support behind starting safeties Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard.

Reed, a 2025 sixth-round pick out of Penn State, played seven games during his debut season in Houston. He logged 73 defensive snaps and 113 special teams snaps during his rookie campaign.