From my notes on Boutee:
My comp for Boutte is Jarvis Landry although Boutee has better acceleration and short-area quickness than Jarvis Landry.
That shows up on the field with his release, routes, and ball-carrying. His release game has a wide repertoire of moves and
he can use them with patience, suddenness, or violence, depending on the defender. Karate hands with wipe and swim moves.
He lacks the top-end long speed to stack defenders late in a route but he can stack when he earns separation within the
first 10-15 yards. With his terrific release tech, that happens commonly.
Boutte is adept at using his eyes to set up breaks as he’s using his stems to manipulate his opponents with head an shoulder
fakes. His breaks are tight, sharp, have snap, and he works quickly back to the ball.
Like Zay Flowers, Boutte processes the field fast enough to anticipate the angles of oncoming pursuit just as he’s making
the catch. As a result, he’ll make an immediate move away from the defender a beat earlier than many receivers who would
otherwise take contact or get tackled.
Also like Flowers, Boutte almost always makes the first man miss in the open field. This is a combination of his footwork, vision,
processing speed, and selection of moves that show excellent balance and body control.
Like Landry, Boutte is a tough football player who can take contact and maintain possession of the ball. He’s not
going to bounce off a lot of hits in the open field, but he’ll slip reaches and pull through some wraps.
Boutte should contribute immediately, if not start, with time spent as a flanker and/or slot receiver. If he doesn’t have a
long career it won’t have to do with his skills. I anticipate a long career unless the ankle injury that required two surgeries is
a lingering concern.
He tracks balls well on vertical routes and shows late hands (a Moss specialty). He's fearless on seam routes and he's always
aware of the boundary line. Excellent quick tap to stay in bounds. Perfect hands technique even as a freshman. High velocity
passes are no problem for Boutte.
Boutte shines at YAC. His transitions after the catch are quick and fluid. He secures the ball quickly, assesses the defender and
instinctively takes evasive action with a wide variety of highly developed footwork skills. He can start, stop, make jump cuts in succession,
spin, hop or whatever is necessary to evade defenders and get up field.
Negatives: Broken ankle 2nd year, had Sx and healed poorly requiring a 2nd Sx. Year 3, new coach clashed with Boutte/doctors over
prolonged rehab. Boutte didn't want to risk a 3rd Sx. Dr.s were conservative with rehab. I don't blame them or him. New inaccurate QB.
Poor combine.
Boutte was the #1 WR projection for '23 as recently as Oct., '22 (see above). He's my 5th ranked WR overall so long as he's physically and mentally
healthy and ready to play with renewed love for the game. He has #1 WR talent.