DeMario “Pop” Douglas has been among the stars of New England Patriots training camp through the team’s first five practices.
Just how good has the Patriots’ slot wide receiver been? Our Tom E. Curran even went as far as to say he has slightly outperformed star wideout Stefon Diggs to this point.
“DeMario Douglas has been — I wouldn’t say by far, but he’s been the most productive of the wide receivers when Drake Maye is targeting guys,” Curran said on the latest episode of the Patriots Talk Podcast.
Douglas appears to be building great chemistry with second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Next season will be his first full season with Maye as his QB, and given what they’ve seen in camp, Curran and fellow Pats insider Phil Perry expect big things from the tandem in 2025.
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“Diggs has been the most targeted wideout by Drake Maye, and through Saturday’s practice he had caught six of 10 competitive targets from Drake Maye. Pop Douglas, I believe, was either seven or eight of nine in the competitive targets that he has seen,” Perry said.
“This gets back to, what are expectations for Diggs? What will the hierarchy be within that room? So far, through five practices, I would say that Pop Douglas has been their best wide receiver. Doesn’t mean that Diggs won’t be good, can’t be good and won’t be their best guy by the time the season rolls around.
“But I just am a believer in Douglas’ ability to get open, and I think with a year between them under their belts together — Maye and Douglas — you’re gonna see a chemistry that allows that to be a more productive tandem. Add Josh McDaniels to that mix, we know what he’s done with slot receivers in the past.
“I think Douglas could end up having a really productive year, to the point where he’s not just the most productive guy with 650 yards receiving in a bad receiving room. I think there’s a chance by the end of the year we’re looking at him and saying, ‘This is one of the best 10 slot receivers in the league.'”
Douglas had 66 catches on 87 targets for 621 yards and three touchdowns last year. Curran believes the third-year wideout should get more touches going forward.
“He should see the ball about 110 times in any offense with his set of skills,” Curran added.
Also in the episode:
- What’s Mike Vrabel looking for at training camp?
- Highlights from Drake Maye’s day.
- What did we see from the WR group?
- Reaction to Christian Gonzalez’s injury.
