Pop Douglas Thoughts

[BobDigital]

So yeah, what do we think of him this year and going forward? Everyone is now on the extend Boutte early train, and for good reason. But what about Pop?

Some notes. He doesn't play special teams (2 snaps this year, none last year). Has the 4th most snaps at WR this year 4th in pass catching yards. Seems to be able to make a big play on occasion. 3rd year in the league and will be 25 in a few weeks. Signed till the end of the 2026 season, so we have him this and next year. I don't see them cutting him next year before the season given the value/price proposition. But no one seems to be on the 'sign him early' boat.

What do you think he is worth? Is he a guy they should try to sign early or just let him find his value and come back and we'll see? It seems reasonable to assume at this point he is what he is. . I wouldn't say him and Maye have true chemistry, but they are on the same page. Do you think they should extend a little to keep someone Maye has a bit of a comfort level with?

Personally long term i don't see him as a top 3 option going forward on a good offense. He definitely has that feel of supporting cast player. Typically all support guys play special teams, but sometimes your top supporting cast guy gets an exception on that.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Seems a nice kid, has some traits. But honestly? Very replaceable.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Seems a nice kid, has some traits. But honestly? Very replaceable.

Not sure about that.
He's finding his groove now that they are using him differently.
I'm glad we have him for one more year after this.
By this time next year he may be very replaceable, or very valuable.

 

[Triumph]

6th round pick.

Who is on pace to have his best season despite having a slow start. Watch him have a huge game vs Tampa.

 

[imahobgoblin]

He is still a young player that has shown good athleticism with a strong work ethic. He had a horrible foundation to start his NFL career, but has overcome a lot through hard work and a positive personality. I think he is the type of guy that everyone in the locker room loves. He is more athletic than cerebral, and so picking up this offense is tough, but once he gets it so that it is second nature, he will be hard to cover. I think he will be much better in year 2 of this offense. When he and Drake are on the same page, they are a nasty duo.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I like when he has the ball in his hands. Pats need to find a way to get him the ball more.

 

[mgteich]

So yeah, what do we think of him this year and going forward? Everyone is now on the extend Boutte early train, and for good reason. But what about Pop?

Some notes. He doesn't play special teams (2 snaps this year, none last year). Has the 4th most snaps at WR this year 4th in pass catching yards. Seems to be able to make a big play on occasion. 3rd year in the league and will be 25 in a few weeks. Signed till the end of the 2026 season, so we have him this and next year. I don't see them cutting him next year before the season given the value/price proposition. But no one seems to be on the 'sign him early' boat.

What do you think he is worth? Is he a guy they should try to sign early or just let him find his value and come back and we'll see? It seems reasonable to assume at this point he is what he is. . I wouldn't say him and Maye have true chemistry, but they are on the same page. Do you think they should extend a little to keep someone Maye has a bit of a comfort level with?

Personally long term i don't see him as a top 3 option going forward on a good offense. He definitely has that feel of supporting cast player. Typically all support guys play special teams, but sometimes your top supporting cast guy gets an exception on that.

I don't think that either will be extended early. Neither is a free agent after the season.

During the bye, we should consider trying to extend those will become free agents after the season. Chaisson and Tonka come to mind, and perhaps Hooper and Hawkins. We have no other UFA's to worry about (Lowe and Durant don't count).

 

[Triumph]

I like when he has the ball in his hands. Pats need to find a way to get him the ball more.

Looks like Boutte is still out.

 

[mgteich]

Looks like Boutte is still out.

Boutte, Stevenson and Eliiss are out against TB.

 

[Gumby]

I think he still has potential for much more. But seems in past 16 months to have regressed in connection with Drake even as Drake has rapidly progressed….. could this be a function of that he had more reps w Drake when Drake was the backup last year and now Drake is building repoire w 1st teamers in practice & pop needs that repoire more than others ?.? Just a thought.

I would say he is worth extending because he is IN THE SYSTEM and developing REPOIRE, but agree he doesn’t need to be either done early or overpaid

 

[Water Boy]

4 yr 100 million, 75 guaranteed.

Kidding.

 

[stelfans]

Unless the Pats can find a WR that produces he isn’t replaceable.
The lack of WR development on this team is mind boggling. If only a certain 3 round pick could produce..until then Pop is here to stay.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

He’s trending towards someone we should keep around. The past month he has developed into a solid playmaker, at least one big play in 3 outta 4 games. Should have had 2 100 yard games in that span and he’s just getting started with maye in the jmd offense . We need guys around Drake who give you chunk plays . He’s made some great blocks too

 

[doesntmatter1]

Not overly impressive but we as an organization haven't shown the ability to consistently develop wrs. Maybe we can find another Boutte in the coming years.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I stumbled upon this thread

 

[Toofy]

The only challenge is we will not have enough dollars to pay a wr who is 50-75 on the league but commanding an annual 10-12 million.

We need rookies to provide pop's production at rookie wages. So most likely we let pop walk.

We will prolly sign couple of receivers in 3-5 million a year range like hollins or hooper. You cannot spend 60 million on wr and 70 million on QB and become like Bengals. I hope maye takes on something like 53-57 million a year so that we can pay gonzo and campbell and reserve some for bonafide WR1.

50% of team should be rookies and vet minimum ( 30 million)

20% should be pro bowlers or all pro caliber players ( 180 million ) - they will be paid top 15 in their position . Right now they are maye, campbell will, gonzo, Marcus Jones, barmore, Milton Williams, Spillane, diggs , rham, Carlton Davis and landry.

Again this is possible because gonzo, Campbell and gonzo are still in rookie deals .

10 % should be vets on prove it deals to maximize value ( 15 million)

Remaining 20% will be folks with middle tier deals like hooper, Boutte, tavai etc. ( 50-60 million)

When we are on contention we borrow 30-50 million from future , making cap is crap to add those missing pieces. Big make sure you keep the rookie pipeline growing

 

[rkarp1]

I don't see Pop commanding any where near the type of contract mentioned here.
3 years - $12-$15m ish

 

[Toofy]

Agree. Not anything more than 4--6 million a year . I would say 4 years 24 million with 10 million gtd should be enough.

If we feel this core is good. Then have a reset year on the 5th year from now where you take a dead cap hit of 60-80 million and build for the next 6 year run.

Maye year 3 - no impact
Maye year 4 - gonzo franchise tag
Maye year 5- gonzo paid, maye franchise ( 60 million )
Maye year 6 ( additional 80 million hit + franchise campbell)
Maye year 7 ( 100 million additional hit)
Maye year 8 ( reset , trade gonzo )

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Don't Jakobi the dude. Get the guy who has displayed a strong work ethic, who is ascending as he works out issues in his game. Reward that sort of work. Work the contract so he takes a chunk of Diggs's money when he leaves.

 

[Tunescribe]

I stumbled upon this thread

Just don't get over your skis.