2023 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Kayshon Boutte, WR LSU
Kayshon Boutte burst onto the scene as a true Freshman with LSU in 2020 in what turned out to be a very disappointing season for the Tigers. After the highs of winning the national championship in 2019, many expected them to compete again; however, that was not the case.
Since then, both LSU and Boutte have had many fits and starts in what has turned out to be a very disappointing three-year run.
RECRUITMENT
Boutte was rated as a five-star recruit graduating from Westgate high school in New Iberia, Louisiana. As you may expect from a five-star prospect, he had a somewhat mind-blowing statistical performance in high school. As a senior, he had 47 receptions for 1,005 yards while rushing for 874 yards on 71 carries and 27 total touchdowns. 247Sports rated him as the number two wide receiver in the nation and the 24th-ranked prospect overall.
Data Courtesy of 247sports.com.
Boutte received offers from a complete list of college powerhouses, and it came down to Alabama and LSU before Boutte opted for the reigning National champions in his home state.
A fluid and natural athlete with state-level track speed, he profiled as a complete receiver who wasn’t afraid to go over the middle while also having the speed to get open deep. The only knock on him entering college was his slighter frame, listed at 6ft and 180 lbs.
COLLEGIATE CAREER
Data Courtesy of College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
A slow start to his true freshman season wasn’t alarming, as most players see similar workloads easing into the college game. However, Boutte finished the season with an incredible three-game stretch, including one of the single most dominant displays you will ever see from a receiver in college. Having produced over 100 yards in consecutive games against Alabama and Florida, he then exploded for a 14 reception 308, yard, three touchdown performance against Ole Miss to finish the season.
After his breakout Freshman season, it was expected that the production would continue and he would establish himself as the top receiver in the nation and a potential top 10 pick in the NFL draft. While performing well, it still felt slightly underwhelming after his Freshman season hype. An ankle injury ended his sophomore season prematurely, meaning he only appeared in six games. Drama then surrounded the off-season heading into his Junior season after a change in head coach led to rumors of Boutte considering transferring and being unhappy with the new regime. He did stay with the Tigers and had a largely disappointing season, finishing with only 538 yards in 11 seasons averaging less than five receptions per game. More drama followed after the season when he announced he wouldn’t enter the NFL draft and would stay in college before performing a complete 180 a few weeks later and announcing his declaration for the draft.
STRENGTHS
- Electric playmaker
- He has home run potential whenever he touches the ball
- Ability to align all over the field
- Varied route package
WEAKNESSES
- Smaller frame could be limited to the slot in the NFL
- Red flags throughout college career
- OK, route runner but not an elite separator early in the route
- Can struggle physically at the catch point
DRAFT VALUE
Data Courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.
Boutte’s value has significantly declined over the past two months from being a consensus top-20 pick to now being seen as a middle-of-the-second-round prospect. His value is a little over the place, with some mock drafters still having him as a top 15 pick while others have him falling out of the top two rounds altogether. As we head toward May, he will likely settle in as a fringe first-round or early second-round prospect.
DYNASTY OUTLOOK
Boutte’s value will be fascinating to watch over the next few months. He has the talent and potential to be an elite producer at the next level and someone who could cement himself as a top six pick in rookie drafts. However, he could drop to the back end of the first round. The consensus ranks on DLF currently have him as the WR4 in the class behind the consensus big three but with a good combine and interview performance, he could potentially crack the top three if he cements himself as a day-one NFL pick.
His dynasty value will likely increase as we get closer to rookie drafts in the summer, but he is the type of player whose value could be all over the place. The talent is there but will the NFL see past the red flags and declining production to draft him highly?
The landing spot could be essential at the next level. It will significantly cap his fantasy ceiling if he is pigeonholed into a slot-only role. If a team can look past the potential size concerns and use him all over the field, he could be a phenomenal asset for your dynasty roster.
If you like to swing for the fences and look for upside outside of the top five prospects, I don’t think any other prospect has the potential ceiling of a player like Boutte.
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