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New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte disappointed on and off the field in 2023. His future with the Patriots and in the NFL moving forward is now very much in question. Sam takes a closer look at what's ahead for the young receiver.
The New England Patriots organization is going through major reconstruction in 2024. They have a new head coach for the first time in 24 years, a top 3 draft pick for the first time in two decades, and are undergoing a necessary rebuild that could last longer than some fans might like.
The last thing the team needs in the middle of all this is controversy. However, one of their young players, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, has given them some unexpected offseason drama.
The 21-year-old and 2023 Patriots sixth-round draft pick is currently under investigation by both the NFL and Louisiana authorities for gambling on sports. How will this affect his playing status moving forward? Will he be suspended for the upcoming season? Let's take a closer look.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Will Kayshon Boutte Be Suspended in 2024?
On January 24th, Boutte was booked by Lousiana State Police and charged with "participating in sports gambling from April 6, 2022, until May 6, 2023, when he was 20 years old". The former LSU star allegedly made an unbelievable 8,900 bets in only 13 months on college football, including some on himself.
According to the warrant, Boutte deposited over $132,000 into his online Fanduel account, winning over $550,000. Charges allege the receiver created a fake account while underage, making wagers on college football while he was still playing, notably even placing six bets on himself.
This is one of the most bizarre and fascinating sports stories we have seen in recent memory. Betting this frequently and at such a young age is one thing, but doing such a poor job at hiding it is another. The cardinal rule as an athlete in this era of modern sports is that you can't gamble, period. Boutte didn't get the memo.
Kayshon Boutte 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
The Patriots were undeniably one of the most disappointing teams this past season, particularly on the offensive side of the football. They ranked as the 3rd worst offense in the NFL in 2023 and had poor production from the wide receiver position. Boutte was at the bottom of the team's depth chart, accumulating a measly two receptions for 19 yards the entire season.
What does all of this mean for his fantasy status in 2024? To state the obvious, he wasn't exactly an "impact" player in fantasy football circles during his rookie season. Now, with the Pats supposedly in the market for a big-name playmaker, combined with Boutte's legal troubles, all signs point toward irrelevance this year for the Louisiana native.
Is a suspension in the cards for the speedy and troubled wideout? With an investigation still ongoing, it's unknown if he will be suspended or even released, however, there are few signs that the team will have patience with Boutte. They are looking to change direction starting immediately, particularly with the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick. But more so, after a 4-13 record and a last-place finish in the AFC East, it's likely the team looks for receivers with plenty of talent, not criminal records.
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