Patriots Mailbag Weighs Boutte Reunion and Maye’s Ranking

On November 4, a Patriots mailbag considered whether New England might trade for former receiver Kayshon Boutte, who is now with Houston. The answer was that a reunion this season seems unlikely, with Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs potentially returning and A.J. Brown possibly becoming available. Boutte is in a contract year, leaving a possible return in 2027 as a more realistic prospect.

The mailbag credited Dolphins rookie Jacob Rodriguez with forcing Efton Chism’s fumble in Sunday’s game, noting Rodriguez’s record of seven forced fumbles in a college season at Texas Tech. It also said New England could use Brenden Schooler at safety when needed, but that his value on special teams makes a full-time defensive role less desirable.

Among quarterbacks from the 2024 draft, the ranking put Caleb Williams first, Maye second and Jayden Daniels third. Williams received a slight edge because of his development this season with Chicago coach Ben Johnson and what the mailbag described as the NFL’s best offensive line. It cautioned that the order could change substantially over time.

The response advised against trading backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, calling him useful insurance within the offense. It also confirmed that Patriots offensive linemen continue to hold weekly dinners. Punter Bryce Baringer, meanwhile, was released amid roster constraints after injuries left the team managing its limited designations for players to return from injured reserve; the mailbag gave him a slight edge over Mitch Wishnowsky based on his 2023 and 2024 performances.