Vikings Draft Thermometer: WR Kayshon Boutte

2023 NFL Draft Rankings: Wide Receivers
Nov 12, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) warms up prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Vikings Draft Thermometer series, PurplePTSD‘s one-stop shop for all your 2023 NFL Draft needs. Throughout this series, we will be examining a number of prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, what exactly their role could be at the NFL level, and most importantly, whether or not they could end up playing their first NFL snaps in a Vikings uniform. With that, let’s take a look at today’s prospect: LSU WR Kayshon Boutte.

Background

Vikings Draft Thermometer: WR Kayshon Boutte
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) carries the ball for a receiving touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 190 pounds
  • School: LSU
  • Games Watched: UCLA (2021), Kentucky (2021), Alabama (2022), Georgia (2022)

Statistics

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
  • 2020: 45 reception, 735 yards, 5 TDs (10 games)
  • 2021: 38 receptions, 509 yards, 9 TDs (6 games)
  • 2022: 48 receptions, 538 yards, 2 TDs (11 games)

Strengths

Nov 5, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Kayshon Boutte is one of the most effortless movers in the entire draft class. He can run any route, and he accelerates with ease to take the top off a defense. Because of this great athleticism and speed, Boutte’s best trait is his threat as a run-after-catch guy.

There’s a reason that coming into the 2022 college football season Boutte was touted as one of the best wide receivers in this draft class. When he’s at his best, he can do it all, and he makes everything look so easy and smooth.

Weaknesses

Sep 10, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) runs the ball against the Southern Jaguars at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Clause-USA TODAY Sports

The main problem with Boutte is exactly how we closed out the previous section: he isn’t always at his best. The 2022 season got off to a strange start, and he had a few very quiet games. Granted, things improved enough to set a career high in receptions, but we never truly knew which Boutte we were going to get on a weekly basis.

When he plays the way he did against Alabama and Georgia, it’s hard to find anyone better. However, he also had four games of less than 35 receiving yards in 2022. Adding on to some of these inconsistencies, he has some focus drops on his tape, and he makes a few very silly mistakes every now and then. Finally, he’s certainly not the most physically imposing receiver in this draft. He doesn’t have as much success in one-on-one situations as someone like Quentin Johnston and even Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

NFL Projections

Sep 18, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (1) makes a 2 yard touchdown reception against Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Donte Kent (19) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
  • Draft Round: Mid-Late Second Round
  • Immediate Role: WR3 (think K.J. Osborn in 2021)
  • Best Case Scenario: WR1 on a playoff contender
  • Vikings Draft Temperature: 65

Don’t be surprised if people start connecting Boutte to the Minnesota Vikings. The LSU connection is there with Justin Jefferson, and he can fill an immediate need as a deep threat receiver. It likely takes a trade back into the second round for the Vikings to land him, though. However, as we’ve stated before in this series, if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sees a need at receiver, don’t be surprised to see him get aggressive to fill it.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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