Between 2023 and 2024, no wide receiver on the New England Patriots’ roster played as many snaps or caught as many passes as DeMario Douglas. The former sixth-round draft pick out of Liberty was on the field for 1,160 offensive snaps and on the receiving end of 115 throws, registering 1,182 yards and three touchdowns.
Entering his third season in the league, there was little to suggest his exposure and role as a starter-level receiver within New England’s offense would dramatically change even under
a new coaching staff. And yet, two games in, he is ranked No. 4 among his position group in playing time and anywhere between WR3 and WR5 in terms of his statistical output.
Against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Douglas was on the field for only a quarter of available snaps. He caught one 8-yard pass to improve his season total to three receptions for six yards and a touchdown.
So, is there reason to worry about the 24-year-old? Not really.
And you don’t have to take it from us either. Just ask Drake Maye.
“The big thing with Pop is he’s done such a great job since training camp, since the spring, learning the offense, being in different roles,” the Patriots’ starting quarterback explained.
“The ball’s going to find him. There are some opportunities where we can give him the football, and I think we’re going to use him more. He’s a great player, good with the ball in his hands. Just keep going. I think sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way in the game plan some weeks, and you’ll get some bigger personnel and things like that to run the football.”
That last sentence helps explain Douglas’ playing time dropping from 63.4 percent in the season opener against Las Vegas to just 25 percent against Miami. In an attempt to become more balanced, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels relied on more multi-tight end sets. This, in turn, limited the need for three-receiver sets and another inside option such as Douglas — especially one whose strengths lie on passing downs rather than in run situations.
When he was on the field, Douglas primarily was used as a vertical option. He was targeted once, running a curl route on a 1st-and-15 in the fourth quarter.
Using multi-tight end looks and spreading the ball around more — a total of nine players caught passes last Sunday — limited Douglas’ impact versus the Dolphins. However, his quarterback is confident that more active days are ahead.
“We’ll definitely find ways to get Pop the ball,” Maye predicted. “Shoot, he’s got a touchdown on the year. That’s a big stat in this league.”
