New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas has been a primary contributor for the team on offense through voluntary practices and mandatory minicamp thus far. His increased comfort in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense has been a key reason why.
Entering his fourth year in the NFL and in New England, Douglas has caught the eye of Patriots wide receivers coach Todd Downing this spring.
“I think second year in the system, you even see more confidence,” Downing said before practice
on Wednesday. “Just a little pep in his step being around us and being comfortable with us, being who he is and letting his personality be out there and energetic. And that’s something that is awesome to have as a coach.
“But secondly, I would say he’s really doing a good job with decision-making routes. So, if there’s a decision to be made, whether it’s a choice route or a post or a cross, he’s making decisions quickly and correctly. And that’s a really valuable piece of this offense.”
Douglas took time to speak with the media following practice and added that McDaniels has told him to be more “savvy” as a route runner heading into 2026.
“He said more savvy,” Douglas said of McDaniels’ main request. “Just go out there and don’t run what I see on a piece of paper, the line on the piece of paper. Go out there and add my swagger to it. He believes in me, and I appreciate him for that.”
The former sixth-round draft selection in 2023 has 1,629 yards and six touchdowns through his first three years of play, leading the team in receiving yards during his rookie season; however, Douglas’ production dipped by over 30 receptions in his first year under McDaniels, as veterans like Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins were added, and Kayshon Boutte improved.
Douglas admits McDaniels’ offense was difficult to learn at the time, but he is starting to feel more confident.
“The first year I learned that offense, it is kind of tricky,” Douglas said looking back to last season. “Year one is like, you have to learn [the system] and gain confidence. Year two is like, ‘Oh, I have my confidence, now let me go out there and play.’ Let me go out there and play fast.”
Maye has heavily targeted the 25-year-old in the early stages of this offseason and in the further implementation of McDaniels’ offense, which has been evident on the practice field.
“Since I got here as a rookie, he always does the right thing,” Maye said of Douglas. “He makes the right plays, makes the catches; he’s hard to cover. Like I said, you can’t guard him in a phone booth, and he’s so good at breaking off the main coverage. He’s a mismatch. He’s so hard to stay in front of. [I’m] looking forward to seeing his role grow bigger.”
New England has made significant changes to the wide receiver room since 2025, trading for Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown, signing former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs to a multi-year contract and releasing Stefon Diggs.
While Brown and Doubs can play in the slot, that’s not where the pair of receivers thrive on offense. Diggs, however, played roughly half of his snaps last season lined up in the slot.
Douglas, at 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, and considering his elite ability as an explosive route runner with exceptional short-area quickness, now has an opportunity to play an expanded role in 2026.
