Kayshon Boutte, WR LSU: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Boutte was a five-star recruit from Westgate High School in New Iberia, La. in the class of 2020

Kayshon Boutte flashed as a freshman at LSU before suffering several injury setbacks in 2021. The speedy slot receiver has a strong chance to be the first player at his position in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he’ll need to check the medical boxes first. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of Boutte’s traits.

Visit my Twitter account @Sam_Teets33 for more updates and previews of the 2023 NFL Draft Guide.

Kayshon Boutte, WR LSU: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior slot and outside receiver from New Iberia, La.

Background: Boutte was a five-star recruit from Westgate High School in New Iberia, La. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 24 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 35 for Rivals (four-star), and No. 29 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 33rd in the nation (four-star) with an 86 grade out of 100. As a high school junior, Boutte produced 674 receiving yards on 43 receptions, 381 rushing yards on 56 carries, and 13 total touchdowns. As a senior, he amassed 47 receptions for 1,005 yards and 15 touchdowns and 71 carries for 874 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also scored on two kick returns and one punt return. Boutte was a 2020 Under Armour All-American selection.

2021 Production: 6 games, 38 receptions, 509 yards, and 9 touchdowns

2020 Production: 10 games, 45 receptions, 735 yards, and 5 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed seven games (2021) with an ankle injury that has required two surgeries

LSU head coach Brian Kelly: "Look, he's a great player. He's a good kid. But this has been a rough spot for him. You tend to get distracted because you're not involved in everything. He's learning you've got to be involved in everything, whether you're injured or not.”

Awards: 2020 Freshman All-America, 2020 Freshman All-SEC

Pros: Inside-out alignment versatility, experience on special teams in 2020 and 2021, quick feet and speed to break press coverage, foot speed helps him slip past tacklers in the open field, willing blocker who will engage and stall corners, runs routes at full speed on run plays to hold the corner’s attention, speed to run away from defenses, converts speed into elusiveness, explosive speedster, footwork on the sideline, quick going into and coming out of his breaks, long strider who erases the cornerback’s cushion, he’s survived some hard hits over the middle, loose athlete, route running is sharp, runs away from defenders in YAC opportunities, elusive footwork, natural separator

Cons: Drops have consistently popped up, horrendous production in contested catch situations, blocking technique needs correction to allow for sustained success, surprisingly few targets on true vertical routes, play strength could improve, needs to diversify his route tree, ball tracking and adjustments downfield occasionally show him turn around to face the ball rather than catch over the shoulder

Overview: Boutte is unofficially listed at 6'0", 205 lbs. He’s a speedy receiver with the footwork to set defenders up for missed tackles in space. LSU heavily utilized Boutte on slants, which allowed them to get him the ball and sit back as he turned on the jets in the open field. The true junior’s route tree still needs significant development, but he has the agility and athletic traits to suggest he’ll eventually master all of the necessary routes. The routes Boutte already has at his disposal are sharp, and he shows speed going into and exciting cuts. He also shows the willingness to engage as a run blocker, even if his play strength could improve. Production in contested catch situations remains a key area of weakness in Boutte’s game. He makes 50-50 throws look more like 30-70 situations in favor of the defense. 

Overall, Boutte has the versatility, separation skills, and explosiveness to be the top wide receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he needs to get back on the field and have his ankle pass medical checks before we reach that point.

Role & Scheme Fit: Slot (Y) receiver with some snaps outside in an 11 personnel heavy scheme

Round Projection: Early First to Mid First

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-10-22