DeMario (Pop) Douglas’ Future

[imahobgoblin]

Agreed.
What you could see in TV KW looked very very good. Very fast and sudden. He provides an element none of our other WRs really have.

I have not agreed with some the doomers and gloomers that he is a bust or in danger of getting cut. I just think he was a lot more raw that most people realize. He does have a bad habit of turning the wrong way on the ball that he needs to fix. We are facing a Boutte and Pop contract issue next year if both stay. I don't see how we can pay Brown, Doubs, Henry, and Boutte. Pop should be easier. KW's development is imperative, but he does not have to shine this year. Just grow into the offense more and when the log jam next year is clear, he can step up. I can see the potential for Boutte, Hollins, Pop, and Chism all gone next year. KW had to be ready for that. It also highlights the need to keep searching for a WR to replace Brown when his run is done. Its time to find and develop him now.

 

[Triumph]

Brown, Doubs and Boutte will be the 3 starting WRs.
Hollins will get some snaps as a blocker
Douglas will get some on 3 down bunch formations
Williams will be a backup who will get some reps to develop

Brown Doubs Boutte have a much greater skillset than Diggs Boutte Hollins that we were successful with last year.

Hollins had 68% of the snaps in 2025, plus he started the Super Bowl. Nothing out of 2026 camp is revealing that Hollins is slowing down and having a bad camp. Hollins will not be used sparingly just as a blocker because you were wrong about him last season and dont like him. AJB and Doubs will see the highest number of WR targets in 2026. Maye threw for almost 500 attempts at a 72% rate in 2025.

If Maye increases his attempts and throws for 600 attempts in 2026, thats an additional 100 attempts to go around. Spread out amongst -

WR1 AJB,
WR2 Doubs,
TE1 Henry,
WR3 Hollins,
WR4 Douglas,
WR5 Williams,
TE2 Raridon,
RB1 Rahm,
RB2 Henderson.

AJBs targets will go up from Diggs @102. AJBs most productive seasons were 145 and 158 targets. He had approximately 20 more targets than Diggs in 2025. At least 20 of the additional 2026 targets are gone to the Pats best WR.

Doubs targets will also increase from Bouttes 46 targets in 2025. Doubs was targeted 85 times in GB and to the tune of 41 first downs. Give Doubs at least 20 more targets than Boutte had @ 66. 60 targets left to 7 players.

Karen G just penned another piece where she envisions Boutte as the odd man out. Mike Reiss is reporting that the Pats have big plans for Boutte in 2026, but that he is still on the trade block. These are credible NE sports media folks who are in the trenches on the front line. The Pats are simply waiting for a team to come calling with a reasonable offer and Boutte is asta lavista.

 

[Wozzy]

The numbers I could find basically have Chism a quarter second faster on both the short shuttle and three-cone than any of the others in the top 7. Douglas's numbers are basically the same as AJ Brown's.

Also look at Douglas's explosion measurables, his vertical leap and broad jump... they're ridiculous. This is why I'd categorize Chism as more of a turning a sharp corner threat, and Douglas as more of a stop and go threat. Either way... fast in short space.

 

[Ross12]

Chism is working hard and doing a lot of the technical stuff right but isn't yet overcoming some of his athletic limitations. He might get there in time but at this point I don't think he's worth holding on the 53 over any of the 6 guys ahead of him, and I don't think he will necessarily get claimed by anyone. It's of course possible but any of the other 6 will absolutely be claimed so you have to take the risk there. If Boutte is traded then Chism might stick.

I do think Douglas is the 3rd/4th guy on the "depth chart" overall, but tops at his specific role.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

So does last night mean that pop and boutte are here for 26?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

So does last night mean that pop and boutte are here for 26?

Until they're not.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

So does last night mean that pop and boutte are here for 26?

Pop I would assume yes.
Boutte could be they don’t want to risk injury which impact a trade, or don’t want to risk injury because he will be here and is in our top 3/4.
I think both options are on the table for Boutte.
Draft picks are nice, but moving him for a 5th doesn’t make much sense unless one of the young guys really impresses.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Pop I would assume yes.
Boutte could be they don’t want to risk injury which impact a trade, or don’t want to risk injury because he will be here and is in our top 3/4.
I think both options are on the table for Boutte.
Draft picks are nice, but moving him for a 5th doesn’t make much sense unless one of the young guys really impresses.

Fair point on the injury avoidance. I would have thought they might try showcasing him if trying to trade him (unless they feel joint practices are enough for that). I also hope hes here for 2026 , rather have him than a 5th or 6th rounder barring him becoming a distraction or something which I don’t see happening.

 

[imahobgoblin]

So does last night mean that pop and boutte are here for 26?

I think it means Pop is. They will trade Boutte if they get the price they want. It made no sense to me to put him out there for one series. That was weird.