Patriot
Bute said he was aware of the doubts, but “tried not to focus on it and to get better as a player.”
Keshan Bote rushes for a touchdown in the Patriots’ preseason game against the Packers. AP Photo/Matt Ludtke
When the Patriots made their final cuts on Tuesday, Keshan Bote was among six wide receivers who made the list.
Bute, 21, was selected by New England in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Although once projected as a potential first-round pick after a breakout freshman year at LSU in 2020, his value declined in subsequent seasons (limited, in part, by multiple ankle surgeries ).
Given his circumstances, Bute — who seemed to get better and better as training camp progressed — mirrored the Patriots’ roster build-up.
“It feels great. I feel like everyone doubts me.” Botti told MassLive’s Mark Daniels on Tuesday. “The stuff you see online and everything like that. I tried not to focus on it and just get better as a player. I feel like my whole time, I feel like that. [I improved]”
Boutte impressed during New England’s second preseason game, catching a slant from Bailey Zappe before sprinting away from the Packers’ defensive backs for a 42-yard touchdown. It was a combination of his skills: running quality routes, making catches in traffic, and showing the speed to make a big play.
“It’s coming day by day, knowing you’re fighting for a spot,” Bute told Daniels. “I feel good.”
Bill Belichick has clearly taken notice. Beyond just making the roster, Botti earned praise from Belichick.
“He didn’t do a lot in the spring, and as camp went on, both in practice and in games, really in all areas that he worked on, he got stronger and more,” Belichick told reporters on Aug. 26. It seemed to be fruitful.” “So, it was very encouraging, and he showed explosiveness on the field when he played.”
The Patriots chose to keep six wide receivers on the roster. Along with Butte in New England are DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, JoJo Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas (Matthew Slater has been specifically designated for special teams).
And while it’s by no means an official measurement, according to Daniels, Bouty tied Parker and Bourne for the most receptions in competitive drills during training camp with 28.
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