Bedard: Catching up on Boutte, Gonzalez, Patriots depth, roster cuts and more entering preseason finale

Key Points:

• Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald announced that their starters will also sit out the final preseason game, meaning both the Seahawks and Patriots will begin the NFL season without their starters having preseason game action.
• The Patriots traded Kayshon Boutte for a late-round compensatory pick, ending what the editor describes as an overrated tenure; Boutte's production was modest despite limited receiving options, and the team has moved on with new receivers AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs.
• Kyle Williams is expected to get more playing time to bring needed speed to the Patriots' receiver corps, addressing a key weakness that contributed to their playoff struggles last year; however, his performance this season remains uncertain.
• The Patriots' receiver depth chart before the trade ranked Brown, Doubs, Douglas, Hollins, Boutte, and Williams, with Hollins playing a significant role in red zone and two-minute situations, while the status of Chism remains uncertain.
• Coach Vrabel's comments on team depth were honest reflections of ongoing challenges, acknowledging slight improvements but also frustration due to injuries and limited offseason changes; his remarks were also seen as motivational ahead of the final preseason week.