DeMario (Pop) Douglas’ Future

[Triumph]

Pop was actually used more downfield in 2025.

2024 - average yards before catch 4.0
2025 - average yards before catch 7.5

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DougDe00.htm#all_adv_receiving_and_rushing

 

[JoeSixPat]

To me, Douglas is worth keeping this season. Josh used him in some interesting routes last year where the little guy was able to sneak deep. This season I expect Doubs will be all over the field as well so maybe that takes Douglas out of the equation

But at 31 catches he's one of our more successful receivers so I'd like to see him here in a contract year or even give him a cheap extension since we have limited WRs signed for next season.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I would be incredibly surprised if we move on from Pop this year.
He's an established NFL WR and he's cheap.
The only reason you would ever trade him is if Chism/DeG have passed him, and that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Clonamery]

To me, Douglas is worth keeping this season. Josh used him in some interesting routes last year where the little guy was able to sneak deep. This season I expect Doubs will be all over the field as well so maybe that takes Douglas out of the equation

But at 31 catches he's one of our more successful receivers so I'd like to see him here in a contract year or even give him a cheap extension since we have limited WRs signed for next season.

In what football league is 31 receptions enough to say, "he's one of our more successful receivers." Pee-wees? Yeah, ****ing, no. It was a down year. He does have value and is a consummate professional when he plays like he did in 2024 not like how it went in 2025.

 

[DC Patriots]

Pop’s numbers were down a bit in the first year in a JMD offense. This happens to a lot of folks. Diggs also cut into his snaps out of the slot.

I really don’t understand the role Doubs will play in the offense. I somehow got it in my head he takes a number of snaps from the slot, but I would be happy to be corrected if that isn’t true.

Pats will go forward with at least two guys who can cover the slot I think. Only way Pop isn’t back is if he thinks he can get a brinks truck of money or if Chism or DeG suddenly take over the slot. I think he’s back, on about 5-6 per.

 

[imahobgoblin]

No one has locked down the Welker/Jules slot position as of yet. I don't think both Pop and Chism can make this team if Boutte stays, which I hope he does. Pop truly has to earn his next contract with this team and I think he will be given every opportunity to do so. He really has a golden path if he can capitalize. But I don't know what that looks like because of the balls available with a stacked room. If Maye has 5,000 yards how do they get dispersed?

Brown - 1200?
Boutte - 800?
Doubs - 700?
Henry - 700?
Hollins - 500?
Rham/Trav - 800?

Thats 4700 and no Raridon or Pop. So how does Pop earn a new contract?

Injuries also happen so having Chism on the PS is the ideal. I have no idea how other teams view him. From what we have seen at camp so far, Chism has not unseated Pop. Both have had good camps, but I think Pop has the edge still.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Pop’s numbers were down a bit in the first year in a JMD offense. This happens to a lot of folks. Diggs also cut into his snaps out of the slot.

I really don’t understand the role Doubs will play in the offense. I somehow got it in my head he takes a number of snaps from the slot, but I would be happy to be corrected if that isn’t true.

Pats will go forward with at least two guys who can cover the slot I think. Only way Pop isn’t back is if he thinks he can get a brinks truck of money or if Chism or DeG suddenly take over the slot. I think he’s back, on about 5-6 per.

Doubs was the insurance policy prior to the Brown trade. If Philly didn't play nice, we had a backup plan that would stink, but still allow us to compete. I doubt he was the only one on the radar and wonder if Diggs was part 2. Josh just has to figure out how to use him. In camp, he has beed a nice red zone target. He got Gonzo twice yesterday, so the skill is there.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

No one has locked down the Welker/Jules slot position as of yet. I don't think both Pop and Chism can make this team if Boutte stays, which I hope he does. Pop truly has to earn his next contract with this team and I think he will be given every opportunity to do so. He really has a golden path if he can capitalize. But I don't know what that looks like because of the balls available with a stacked room. If Maye has 5,000 yards how do they get dispersed?

Brown - 1200?
Boutte - 800?
Doubs - 700?
Henry - 700?
Hollins - 500?
Rham/Trav - 800?

Thats 4700 and no Raridon or Pop. So how does Pop earn a new contract?

Injuries also happen so having Chism on the PS is the ideal. I have no idea how other teams view him. From what we have seen at camp so far, Chism has not unseated Pop. Both have had good camps, but I think Pop has the edge still.

Good analysis.
If you look at from a catch perspective, twice in the Brady years we had 5 pass catchers with 50+ receptions, and one year Ben Watson had 49, narrowly missing out on the 50 catch mark which would’ve made 6 players.
There is so much that could happen between now and the 2027 season that will determine if Pop gets a contract here next year.

 

[Ring 6]

Pop’s numbers were down a bit in the first year in a JMD offense. This happens to a lot of folks. Diggs also cut into his snaps out of the slot.

I really don’t understand the role Doubs will play in the offense. I somehow got it in my head he takes a number of snaps from the slot, but I would be happy to be corrected if that isn’t true.

Pats will go forward with at least two guys who can cover the slot I think. Only way Pop isn’t back is if he thinks he can get a brinks truck of money or if Chism or DeG suddenly take over the slot. I think he’s back, on about 5-6 per.

There is a misconception here that you have to have a small quick shifty WR to play “the slot”. That’s not accurate. The slot exists any time you play 3 WRs. They can be spread or bunched. WR3 can be much more than a guy who runs short routes from a bunch formation. It’s nice to have that guy on 3rd and 4, big in the base offense many teams lack such a guy and run a 3 WR offense effectively.
We won’t keep 2 guys just because they fit that mold and play them ahead of better WRs. We didn’t do that last year. We played 3 “outside receivers” and we figure to do so again.

 

[javajunky]

Pop is the slot receiver in three-receiver sets between the 20s. If he isn't getting targets, then he isn't valuable because of his poor run blocking. I see him starting this year but never making bank in the market. Maye isn't a Brady, so we shouldn't be reliving those old offenses. I like this one better.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Pop is the slot receiver in three-receiver sets between the 20s. If he isn't getting targets, then he isn't valuable because of his poor run blocking. I see him starting this year but never making bank in the market. Maye isn't a Brady, so we shouldn't be reliving those old offenses. I like this one better.

Maye isn’t Brady, but a 4500 yard season is very realistic.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Maye isn’t Brady, but a 4500 yard season is very realistic.

Seeing how he had 4,394 yards in 2025, 5,000 isn't unrealistic.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Seeing how he had 4,394 yards in 2025, 5,000 isn't unrealistic.

Don’t disagree.
However that was me trying to manifest a better/dominant rushing attack!

 

[TheRainMaker]

I really don’t understand the role Doubs will play in the offense. I somehow got it in my head he takes a number of snaps from the slot, but I would be happy to be corrected if that isn’t true.

He’s got good size at 6’1” and he has shown the ability to shake and bake CB’s. He’s played slot in GB, so he could do it in NE. The two games you guys should check out are the 2023 Wildcard game against the Cowboys and the 2023 Divisional game against the 49ers. He had two straight games running circles around DB’s and on causing some serious problems for the defenses. Many thought that was his coming out party.

Bourne was also a larger slot guy in SF and could’ve played that in NE.

 

[Triumph]

Keep Pop

This will be his 2nd season in the same offense.

2023 - BOB
2024 - Van Pelt
2025 - McD
2026 - McD

 

[JoeSixPat]

In what football league is 31 receptions enough to say, "he's one of our more successful receivers." Pee-wees? Yeah, ****ing, no. It was a down year. He does have value and is a consummate professional when he plays like he did in 2024 not like how it went in 2025.

I'm talking about the NFL and specifically the Patriots.

Of the returning WRs, he's our third-leading WR from last year with Diggs gone, after Hollins and Boutte.

And seeing how a lot of fans think we should cut Hollins (46 catches) and trade Boutte (33 catches) he'd be our TOP returning WR with both of them gone.

I understand that many were disappointed that we only made it to the SB last year and didn't win - making 2025 a failure and thus they want to get rid of ALL our WRs from last year, including Diggs, Douglas, Hollins, and Boutte.

Those same fans seem to think that Chism is the WR of the future, because of his 3 catches.

Douglas had 10x the number of catches of Chism but Douglas is still viewed as a Pee Wee football league player while Chism is bound for Canton.

You can't make this stuff up!

 

[Uptown]

He’s got good size at 6’1” and he has shown the ability to shake and bake CB’s. He’s played slot in GB, so he could do it in NE. The two games you guys should check out are the 2023 Wildcard game against the Cowboys and the 2023 Divisional game against the 49ers. He had two straight games running circles around DB’s and on causing some serious problems for the defenses. Many thought that was his coming out party.

Bourne was also a larger slot guy in SF and could’ve played that in NE.

Yep. Seems many here aren’t hip to how effective Doubs is as a receiver. They'll find out soon enough..

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Talk about Hyperbole...

 

[yukon cornelius]

Pop still hasn't shown he can regularly run NFL quality routes, make the right reads/be on the same page as his QB, or consistently get open.....his career so far has been all flashes and potential.....with the room the way it is right now, this os very much a put up or shut up camp for him

 

[fnordcircle]

I feel strongly he's going to be some other team's K.J. Osborn next year.

Nothing against the guy, some great flashes, but just never seemed to get to where it sounded like he was going to be by year 2. Always a chance this is the season he truly blows up but at his position and size we've seen other players in Josh's offense rack up the catches and absolutely be the motor that drives the passing game. He ain't it.