WIDE RECEIVER, LSU, ELIGIBLE FOR 2023 NFL DRAFT
Kayshon Boutte is a 6’0” and 185 lbs. five-star wide receiver for the LSU Tigers. He was the WR2 and 24th overall prospect from the 2023 class.
PAST PRODUCTION (COLLEGE STATS)
In his true freshman season, Boutte caught 45 passes for 735 yards and five TDs. Within the context of the LSU offense, he accounted for 23.5% of their receiving yardage and 20.8% of their receiving scoring. This equates to a 22.2% dominator rating and a 23% adjusted dominator rating. Boutte also averaged 1.75 yards per team pass attempt. While these figures do not surpass the 25% dominator rating threshold for a true breakout, within the context of the season one could argue that he did break out.
LSU experienced some turbulence at the end of the season, losing two key pass-catchers when Terrace Marshall Jr. opted out of the remainder of the season to train for the NFL Draft. LSU also lost their big recruit tight end Arik Gilbert to the transfer portal, which ultimately led to him joining the rival Florida program.
For three games, Boutte was the clear WR1 for LSU, and they fed him. Against Alabama, Florida, and Ole Miss, Boutte went off for 27 catches, 527 yards, and four TDs. Within the LSU offense, Boutte accounted for 56.8% of the receiving yardage and 57.1% of the teams receiving scoring. This equates to a partial season dominator rating of 57% and an adjusted dominator rating of 56.9%. Boutte averaged an insane 3.99 yards per team pass attempt and 2.45 adjusted yards per team play over this span.
2021 OUTLOOK/PERFORMANCE
Kayshon Boutte has distinguished himself as the clear-cut alpha receiver for LSU. However, there will be a quarterback competition in Baton Rouge for the starting gig. Incumbent Miles Brennan should be 100% recovered from a torn abdomen, but Max Johnson played very well when given the chance. LSU also added four-star quarterback prospect Garrett Nussmeier. Whoever wins the job, there should not be much impact on Boutte’s status as the WR1.
Historically, LSU has been the only program that could challenge Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State for the title of WR-U. LSU has consistently developed elite-level fantasy receivers from Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry in 2014 to Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase from their 2019 roster. Boutte looks to be the next evolution of LSU’s elite receiver development.
DEVY ANALYSIS
What’s the outlook for the next 3-5 years?
Things are only looking up for Kayshon Boutte. As the WR1 at LSU, he will almost surely surpass the thresholds for a true sophomore breakout. When we look at wide receiver prospects we look at several metrics or thresholds that we like to see a player hit to determine success at the NFL level.
Kayshon Boutte set the SEC receiving yards record in his 14-catch and 308-yard performance in the season finale against Ole Miss. Boutte also compares favorably to wide receivers such as Tim Brown, Torry Holt, and Steve Smith Sr. from a physical and athletic perspective. Boutte is expected to test extremely well athletically, having run a 4.37-second 40-yard dash in high school, as well as competing for the LSU track team.
Luckily for some of us diehard fantasy players, some box score analysts will look at Boutte’s overall production this season and prefer other players that had a higher dominator rating. Boutte is currently being drafted at the end of round-one in devy drafts. He is being drafted above George Pickens, David Bell, Chris Olave, and Treylon Burks in mock drafts. I expect these receivers to usurp Boutte when real drafts come around because of the simple fact that they will join your roster a year sooner. Boutte’s value should dip, and then he becomes a definite buy in all devy formats.
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