Pop Douglas Thoughts

[Thelonious]

I think he is competitive in the context of the present WR room, This set of WR's has exceeded expectations, but it is still a below-average group. As the room evolves and presumably improves, he may or may not remain competitive. He certainly deserves a shot at competing. He's a good soldier and a decent receiver, after all, and it's not as if there is some brilliant alternative at this point nipping at his heels.

As for paying him, sure, but his expectations will have be be somewhat modest. I don't think he'd command much in the free market. If he wants too much, just draft a replacement whom you think might have more upside, and let him go or trade him for whatever likely pittance in draft stock the market will bear. The whole situation looks 100% routine to me.

 

[Huckleberry1]

It never ceases to amaze how some Patriot fans think only maximum production is all that matters, it isn't. Pop Douglas is never going to lead the league in any category, but that doesn't mean he isn't a valuable player to the team. For years and years the Patriots have had players who didn't produce big numbers, but were integral parts of Championship teams. Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, David Patten, David Givens, James White, Shane Vereen, James Develin etc etc etc.... all were significant contributors who didn't put up eye popping stats, but still consistently made big plays when they needed them. You need a wide variety of roles filled to win Championships, and good players to fill them. Pop Douglas is a good player who Maye has a good connection with, he's not just a disposable piece.

 

[Username]

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

I like him until he gets the ball in his hands.

Runs great routes, really sharp cuts. Then he gets the ball and he's stumbling all over the place.

 

[signbabybrady]

With Pop I think it's important to note that while his production may not be quite as high as we want he has produced despite changing systems, roles, and reps. His production despite all that has been similar year after year.

Would it be nice if took that next leap into a higher level of production of course it would. But given what he's been through there is almost zero reason not to believe he'll produce at a minimum a similar rate over the next few years and that's worth a lot too. And who knows maybe in the same system for longer his production can still improve.

 

[Ring 6]

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.

This is really a guy who is a bargain on a 6th round picks rookie contract and not worth a second contract. Very easily replaced for a 10-15 snap a game role.

 

[Ring 6]

I like him until he gets the ball in his hands.

Runs great routes, really sharp cuts. Then he gets the ball and he's stumbling all over the place.

I actually think his route running is his biggest negative. There have been many times he runs a poor route and isn’t where the qb throws to. He runs routes at the wrong depth seemingly a lot.

 

[BobDigital]

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

IDK, even that seems a little high... The 60th highest paid WR in the league makes 3.5M/yr. 90th makes 2M/yr. I know some of this is due to rookie contracts but still. And some of the rookies due to be paid already make more than these numbers. So it won't be changing the overall rankings too much.

I think Pop is more in the 2.5M/yr range. If he can get more good for him. Yeah we paid Hollins about 4.2/yr on a 2 year deal. But he can be justified to be out there for running snaps and not be a liability. Plus he plays a bit of STs. Add in the importance setting up a new culture and yeah.... maybe we over paid a bit. But he brought and brings more to the table than Douglas will when he contract is up for us.
The culture will already be established. We don't want him out there on run plays as he is a small guy. No STs snaps.

Keep in mind your #1 WR is an older player recovering from an injury who is only out there 55% of the time. In a normal situation where your #1 was out there 85%+ of the time (which is usual) that would be eating into his snaps more. By the time his contract is up we hopefully have a #1 in place who can be out there that much at least.

 

[Wozzy]

Josh is just figuring out how to use him, Drake isn’t throwing exclusively to the slot like system QB’s past. Get the ball in Pop’s hands as a RB, end arounds, screens… he makes things happen.

 

[Kdo5]

My issue with Pop is that I always envisioned him as a guy that would be a high volume slot receiver, move the chains type of guy.

But he has been more of an occasional home run hitter. He’s been making some more plays lately which is good stuff but the expectations haven’t lined up with reality.

 

[farn]

He’s fine - late round pick making some key plays. Not as easily replaced as some here suggest, because it’s been a slog here for years to get WR production. But, not someone you break the bank to keep.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

My issue with Pop is that I always envisioned him as a guy that would be a high volume slot receiver, move the chains type of guy.

But he has been more of an occasional home run hitter. He’s been making some more plays lately which is good stuff but the expectations haven’t lined up with reality.

A faster Troy Brown?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think he’s a WR4 caliber player that can be stretched to WR3 depending on the rest of the depth chart and team situation. A key problem for him right now is that he’s a slot specialist on a team where WR1 (Diggs) functions best out of the slot too.

I think if our big WR addition was a true X instead of Diggs then Douglas would be WR3 but with Diggs being the guy they added Hollins is the better formation fit a lot of the times.

We’ll see how the depth chart evolves this offseason. My guess is he sticks around as a solid reserve option and then when free agency hits some team who has more of a need in the slot adds him. I think he’s has more value to a team that maybe has a solid outside WR depth chart but a weakness in the slot than what he’s worth to us. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he’s traded next offseason/training camp depending on how Williams develops and/or if we add anyone through the draft/free agency.

 

[rkarp1]

Pop's most recent success has come when he is mostly in motion. so to pigeon hole him into a "slot" guy is mostly false.
keep in mind Diggs has a very friendly contract if he is not on the team. very little dead money.
if the team drafts a WR1 type player, Diggs most likely would be off the team in 2027. Pop would then have a role.
2026 Diggs will be back, as will Boutte, and perhaps WIlliams and Chism make a year 2 big step. that gets murky for Pop having a role.

 

[Hades]

A faster Troy Brown?

Faster Troy Brown?..

He couldn't hold Troy Brown's jock, not in reliability, hands or route running.....Will he ever learn to not run through a zone and sit down in his route....thats the real question.

He's a nice little player, has had a few good games recently.....thats about it.

 

[Real fan 02]

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.

Vrabel is the only one who knows pops full worth.. we have to remember when homegrown players get extended it's for a number of reasons. Pop is a guy I can see sticking around. I don't know what type of contract Vrabel will offer him.. but seen as how he's a very likable guy, has elusive ability on the field and can can behind a defense. He's not a traditional slot wr.. Josh is using him in ways to best take advantage of his skill set. I see him sticking around beyond his contract IMO

 

[Real fan 02]

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

Absolutely agree. Vrabel has already said he wants to get guys to second contracts. That's how you continue to build your foundation and keep cohesion. I see pop sticking around. Probably a 3 year deal..

Pop has elusive speed and Isn't a traditional slot wr.. he's like a jitterbug he can move all around the formation and get behind a defense. I like that Josh often has him lined up on LBs.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Diggs is the best receiver on the team, if he continues to play as he has so far there is no chance he will be released. The big question is going to be Boutte, and what he and his agent believe he is worth. I think Vrabel is going to be the opposite of Belichick when it comes to dealing with player contracts. Instead of trying to beat them down and get them to sign for the least money possible I expect to tell Wolf to get them fair market value contracts, but not to overpay. So the issue will take place if the agent believes they are worth more than what the Patriots deem fair market value. However, working in the Patriots favor will be how much the player wants to stay in Nee England and play for Vrabel. It should be an interesting negotiation.

 

[signbabybrady]

Diggs is the best receiver on the team, if he continues to play as he has so far there is no chance he will be released. The big question is going to be Boutte, and what he and his agent believe he is worth. I think Vrabel is going to be the opposite of Belichick when it comes to dealing with player contracts. Instead of trying to beat them down and get them to sign for the least money possible I expect to tell Wolf to get them fair market value contracts, but not to overpay. So the issue will take place if the agent believes they are worth more than what the Patriots deem fair market value. However, working in the Patriots favor will be how much the player wants to stay in Nee England and play for Vrabel. It should be an interesting negotiation.

Haters double standard day at Patsfans today.

Bill gets a player to take a less than market deal he is a big bad meanie and is "trying to beat them down and get them to sign for the least money possible" Vrabel does it and you state "the player wants to stay in Nee England and play for Vrabel."

Clown show.

 

[rkarp1]

Haters double standard day at Patsfans today.

Bill gets a player to take a less than market deal he is a big bad meanie and is "trying to beat them down and get them to sign for the least money possible" Vrabel does it and you state "the player wants to stay in Nee England and play for Vrabel."

Clown show.

re reading his post he did say "least money possible" vs "fair market value"
how did you twist that into an agenda?

 

[signbabybrady]

re reading his post he did say "least money possible" vs "fair market value"
how did you twist that into an agenda?

So Marcus Jones wasn't the least money possible?

They gave him more just so they aren't being mean like Bill?

It was a joke of a double standard if you want to play semantics with words then you just show more bias.