The New England Patriots have officially begun signing rookies to their first NFL contracts.

These things typically don’t go in a defined order, so it’s not surprising that the first rookie to sign is not first-round pick Christian Gonzalez. But it’s an interesting one: sixth-round wide receiver Kayshon Boutte became the first to ink his rookie deal on Thursday.

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• According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Boutte’s rookie contract with the Patriots is for four years and $4.027 million. New England selected Boutte out of LSU with the 187th pick in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Interestingly enough, the pick came from the Carolina Panthers when the Patriots traded cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

  Boutte represents a buy-low for Bill Belichick and Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh. Boutte made 83 catches for 1,244 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first 16 games for LSU, but a serious ankle injury set him back and a bad Combine hurt his stock even further. Boutte has bigger potential than his sixth-round status would indicate, and he’s motivated to prove that.

  “I am motivated more than ever probably,” Boutte said in his introductory call with reporters. “It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing that I made it to the NFL and get drafted by the Patriots. It’s what every kid dreams of.”

• 

  PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Kayshon Boutte #1 of the LSU Tigers scores a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl on September 04, 2021 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

• Boutte’s contract is a reminder that the Patriots have a lot of work to do, with 12 total draft picks – and a lot of the budget use up. The Pats have about $12.3 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. They were always going to need a lot of that to sign their draft picks. Boutte is only the start.

  Update: NFL insider Doug Kyed has the yearly salaries:

• #Patriots sixth-round WR Kayshon Boutte agreed to terms on his rookie contract.
  
  Four years, $4,027,274 with a $187,274 signing bonus.
  
  Base salaries:
  
  2023: $750k
  2024: $915k
  2025: $1.03M
  2026: $1.145M

  — Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 4, 2023

• There should be plenty more to report on the Patriots’ draft picks and their new contracts. We’ll keep you updated here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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