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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: There was a lot of hype that Boutte would be the next great receiver to come from the LSU program after recent stars like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. However, Boutte never lived up those projections. In 2020, Boutte had 45 catches for 735 yards and five touchdowns. He then totaled 38 receptions for 509 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Boutte’s final season at LSU did not go as planned. He struggled to get on the same page with Jayden Daniels in the early going of the season. On the year, Boutte recorded 48 catches for 538 yards and two touchdowns.
Boutte may not ever become a team’s No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL, but he could be a good No. 2 or 3 receiver. Boutte has a quality skill set and does everything well, but he is not exceptionally fast or big. Part of the challenge with Boutte’s evaluation is that his 2021 tape was a lot better than his 2022 performance.
Boutte was a smooth route-runner in 2021, plus showed more burst out of his breaks. In 2022, his route-running was terrible, and sources remarked how Boutte was a lazy route-runner in his final season at LSU. When playing well, he has enough quickness through the route with shiftiness to generate separation from press coverage. Similar to the route-running, Boutte demonstrated reliable hands in 2021 but had issues with dropped passes in 2022.
Boutte tracks the ball well and has advanced body control to adjust to the pass while making difficult catches along the sideline. Even though he is not a big wideout, Boutte is skilled at making catches around coverage to win on 50-50 balls. He has very good concentration, late hands and plays very poised when covered while passes coming his direction.
Boutte is not a true No. 1 receiver because he lacks game-breaking speed and is not overly big or physical. Thus, he is a better fit as a third- or fourth-round pick. Boutte has the physical talent to become a solid starter in the NFL and a quality No. 2 receiver. He would be best being paired with a true No. 1 receiver, but in his role, Boutte could be a real asset and help his offense with solid, dependable play.
Player Comparison: Robert Woods. Woods (6-0, 195) and Boutte are almost identical in size and have similar skill sets. Neither is especially dominant in terms of size or speed, but both are polished wide receivers who are solid No. 2 targets. If Boutte lands in the right circumstances, I could see him being a receiver similar to Woods.
RELATED LINKS:
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 18
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