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ESPN Expert: Patriots Rookie WR 'Steal of NFL Draft'

Even after his highlight touchdown against the Green Bay Packers, the roster status for New England Patriots rookie Kayshon Boutte is still in the air.

Harrison Reno

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Did the New England Patriots find a diamond in the rough last April's NFL Draft? If you were to ask defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and/or ESPN's Ryan Clark, they'd tell you that former LSU Tiger Kayshon Boutte has the potential to be just that.

“If Kayshon Boutte finds his stride in New England, he will be the steal of the draft,” Clark on Twitter Saturday night. “Showed Top 10 talent at times early throughout his time in Baton Rouge.”

Clark's comments about the rookie sixth-round pick were made after Boutte produced his first highlight play of his NFL career for the Patriots in the second quarter versus the Green Bay Packers. With the Patriots trailing the Packers 14-7 with just 56 seconds left before halftime, all it took was one pass for Boutte to flip the script as he took a slant 42 yards for a score. 

It was the type of play that the Patriots were bereft of last season under the guidance of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge and something they'll inevitably be looking for more with offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. 

Although Clark wasn't the only one who took notice following the 21-17 win in Green Bay, as even Patriots defensive tackle Godchaux responded to tweeted Clark with "agreed." 

Granted, it should be noted that both are former Tigers, so it isn't necessarily surprising that the six-year defensive tackle is speaking in support of the fellow LSU product. 

As the cut-down day nears, the Patriots will have a lot of tough decisions to make, including what to do with Boutte. If New England follows their trend of keeping just five receivers, it isn't likely that Boutte will be kept on the 53-man roster. That would be despite the highlight play that Boutte put on tape versus the Packers and his flashes throughout camp.

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Harrison Reno
HARRISON RENO

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