The bottom of the New England Patriots wide receiver rotation continues to be an absolute dogfight, now two full weeks into training camp.
Figuring that A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are the starters, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Mike Vrabel are now entrusted with shaping the final four spots on the roster in a way that can best serve Drake Maye.
Each of the next five guys on the depth chart has flashed at times this summer, and none has really separated himself.
Would they deal Boutte?
One will be the odd man out. There has been speculation and reporting that Kayshon Boutte is not happy and has asked to be dealt. Boutte is in a contract year, and he's looking to get as much out of 2026 as he can.
He's in the toughest spot – productive and having a real rapport with Maye.
Vrabel isn't about to keep an unhappy guy on his roster in a secondary role.
He made a point in his last press conference to call out DeMario Douglas for his team-first attitude. Vrabel was sending a message.
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Team-first Douglas has inside track
But Douglas understands, especially now, there are no guarantees.
"The team means everything to me. It's my family away from my family. In the offseason when we work out, I made sure I know I'm competing against myself and somebody else. It's somebody else that wants to get better than me," Douglas said. "I feel like I just have to keep working, and if I keep working, it shows on the field."
Well-traveled Hollins fits, too
The final three in the mix all bring something valuable to the field.
A reliable pass catcher with great size, Mack Hollins is a bit of a puzzle. He's a selfless blocker in the run game.
He's also on his seventh NFL team in nine seasons.
Kyle Williams scored three touchdowns among his 10 catches in 2025. A third-round pick a year ago, you know that the coaching staff will do all it can to try to harness his blazing speed and not give up on him.
And then, there's Efton Chism. The undrafted free agent a year ago, he forced his way into the mix, off the practice squad in 2025. He's come back to the fold hungry for more.
