*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Sources Compare Boutte to D.J. Moore
Updated Sept. 19, 2022By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Entering the 2022 season, LSU’s Kayshon Boutte was one of the consensus top receiver prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft. Boutte is not off to an impressive start this year, including an ugly performance in the opener against Florida State. So far this year, he has 10 receptions for 93 yards, and has not looked like the playmaker who the hype had suggested. Going back to his 2021 tape, NFL team sources liked what they saw out of Boutte, but he may end up being more of a late first- or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, depending on how this season plays out.
“[Boutte is] sort of small; more smooth than explosive and twitchy,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “He’s a lazy route runner and lacks detail. I like his hands; he catches it well and has good ball adjust. Has quickness and juice. His run after the catch is inconsistent, but he can run with the ball. He’s more of a vertical receiver than short to intermediate. He’s just not as dynamic as I expected. He reminds me of a smaller less powerful D.J. Moore.”
Boutte is listed at 6-foot, 205 pounds by LSU, but on NFL teams’ preseason watch list they had him at 6-foot, 190 pounds. Either number, however, would suggest he is not a big receiver for the next level. While NFL evaluators feel Boutte has talent, he will need to produce more in the weeks to come to ensure he ends up going in the first or second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
