Sixth-rounder Kayshon Boutte reportedly becomes first 2023 Patriots draft pick to sign rookie deal

After getting the call in the sixth round, Kayshon Boutte became the first New England Patriots draft pick to get under contract.

The former LSU wide receiver signed his four-year, $4.027 million rookie deal on Thursday, as detailed by PatsCap’s Miguel Benzan and KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson.

The agreement includes a $187,274 signing bonus along with a 2023 base salary of $750,000.

Boutte, who turns 21 prior to the start of Patriots rookie minicamp, arrived at No. 187 overall in April. He did so after a Tigers career that began with Freshman All-American honors and an SEC single-game receiving record of 308 yards versus Ole Miss in 2020.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Louisiana native’s initial 16 games brought 14 touchdowns and 1,244 yards through 83 catches. A broken right ankle sidelined him for the second half of his sophomore season. A second surgery followed leading up to his last fall in Baton Rouge.

Under new LSU head coach Brian Kelly, Boutte finished with 48 catches for 532 yards and two trips to the end zone as a junior in jersey No. 7. Added on the ground was a 41-yard rush. He later ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Among a dozen New England draft picks, Boutte’s base salaries beyond his rookie year are slotted at $915,000 for 2024, $1.03 million for 2025 and $1.145 million for 2026.