Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Kayshon Boutte
- LSU
- Height-6’0″
- Weight-190 lbs
- Third-year Junior
- 5-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 131 receptions, 1,782 yards, 16 touchdowns
- Games watched: Florida 2022, Alabama 2022, Georgia 2022
Strengths
Route running is inconsistent, yet nuanced. Boutte understands how to manipulate defenders and know where the holes in the zone are. Boutte has a fluid lower half and can flip his hips easily when running routes. He works back well to the football and catches the ball with his hands, not his body.
Weaknesses
Despite his athleticism and route running nuance, Boutte is inconsistent in doing so. He doesn’t have the element of consistency down yet. HIs drop rate is a little bit too high at slightly over 8.0 percent (16 drops in 199 targets).
This past season, nearly all of his snaps came from the slot. He didn’t have a lot of production early on when playing on the outside so they moved him into the slot. That appears to be more production driven and not by ability, but it’s noteworthy. I am not very concerned with it, especially considering the Vikings’ offense.
Watching Kayshon Boutte and I found this stat interesting.
Of Boutte's 572 snaps, only 147 of those are out wide and only 32 of those (21.7%) came after week 3.
Should we be concerned at all that LSU moved him exclusively to the slot?
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) December 31, 2022
Overview
| Hands | 7.9/10 |
| Release | 8.2/10 |
| Route Running | 13.1/15 |
| Separation | 12.8/15 |
| Contested Catches | 8.2/10 |
| Tracking | 7.9/10 |
| Body Control | 8.3/10 |
| YAC Ability | 8.9/10 |
| Agility | 8.1/10 |
| Grade | 83.4/100 Second Round |
Boutte could honestly use some more time at LSU but his departure leaves some questions up in the air. There are some interesting rumors going around about his sudden change of heart but nothing I have been able to confirm.
Boutte would be a really good fit for the Vikings. He can play inside-out, take defenders deep and thrive in space, something this team could definitely use. He would be perfect in the second round, assuming the Vikings move back in the draft like they did last year.
