Kayshon Boutte Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Josh Auzenne/WAFB)
School: Louisiana State (Junior)
Position: WR
HT: 6’0
WT: 185 lbs
Sideline Prospect Ranking: #40
Kayshon Boutte has been a big name player ever since high school as he was a 5-star recruit out of Louisiana. Boutte had an outstanding freshman season, including a record breaking performance against Ole Miss, that caused people to raise their expectations for Boutte throughout the rest of his college career. Unfortunately Boutte never really built off of that freshman season. Whether it be injuries or a lack of QB production, he could never put it together for a full season in Baton Rouge. In terms of his on-field capabilities, you can see why there has been so much hype and excitement surrounding his name. His combination of speed, size, and athleticism all immediately pop on tape. Expect him to run a low 4.4 or a high 4.3 at the combine. While being a speedy gadget player, Boutte does not compromise size, he is a solid built receiver who can hold up to the physicality of the NFL game. While he has the size of a boundary receiver, expect him to primarily line up in the slot for whatever team drafts him. Boutte is a great route runner who is able to stack cornerbacks and take sharp cuts. He is also a solid deep route runner. When analyzing receivers on deep balls. I always look to see if they display late hands and if they don’t decelerate when making the catch. Boutte has both late hands and the ability to maintain his running speed while hauling in the football on the run. I also believe it is worth noting that some of his lack of production can and should be attributed to a coaching overhaul and constant QB changes throughout his LSU career.
All of the aspects of Boutte’s game that need improvement are mental hurdles. He has to improve his focus when targeted. He fails to look in the ball and his movements are one step ahead of his mind as he tends to try to move up field before securing the football. This has led to an inexcusable amount of drops. The games against Florida State and Tennessee really put a spotlight on these weaknesses as he dropped a lot of footballs. Boutte also needs to work on his ability to high point the football or just going out to get it. It seems as if he needs it to hit him in the numbers or else he has a difficult time hauling it in. Boutte’s yards after the catch ability and dynamic combination speed and size project him to be a fringe 1st round guy, but there are areas of improvement that could make him a star.
Scheme Fit: Spread Offense
Ideal Role: Z Receiver
Best Team Fits: CAR, ATL, ARI
Player Comparison: DJ Moore
Player Grade: 80.9
