Patriots 2024 player profile: DeMario Douglas ready to take step forward in Year 2

Previewing the Patriots wide receiver heading into the 2024 NFL season.

It’s no secret that the New England Patriots will look for a better offensive output this season. But beyond taking measures this offseason to remodel the offensive group in order to do so, the hope is players that are set to return from last year’s roster will take a step forward as well.

Included in that group is wide receiver DeMario Douglas, who was one of the few bright spots from last season. Douglas’ skillset and production as a sixth-round pick last season leaves the arrow trending upward as the Patriots hope he can be part of their offensive makeover.

Hard facts

Name: DeMario Douglas

Position: Wide receiver

Opening day age: 23 (12/8/2000)

Size: 5’8”, 192 lbs

Jersey number: 3

Contract status: Signed through 2026 (2027 UFA)

Experience

Growing up in Jacksonville, FL, Douglas attended Mandarin High School where he helped win a state title in 2018 as he recorded a new state title game record with four receiving touchdowns.

Douglas then spent his entire four-year collegiate career at the University of Liberty where he was named to the FWAA Freshman All-America team selection as a punt returner during his redshirt freshman season.

Taking on a more prominent role at wide receiver the following year, Douglas led the Flames in with 52 receptions and 701 receiving yards and tallied six touchdown. A career-year was then on deck for the shifty receiver in 2022, as Douglas again led the team with 79 receptions for 993 yards and six touchdowns.

Due to his production at receiver as well as a punt returner — where he averaged 20.8 yards per return in 2022 — Douglas was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list (most versatile player in college football) in 2021 and 2022.

In preparation for the 2023 NFL Draft, Douglas attended the Shrine Bowl where he worked with New England’s offensive coaching staff. He certainly impressed, as the team then selected him in the sixth-round of the Draft two months later.

2023 review

Stats: 14 games (7 starts) | 482 offensive snaps (45.9%), 31 special teams snap (6.8%) | 76 targets, 49 catches (64.5%), 561 yards (11.5 yards/catch) | 8 carries, 41 yards (5.1 yards/carry) | 11 punt returns, 56 yards (5.1 yards/return) | 2 fumbles (1 lost), 1 muffed punt

Season recap: Douglas’ dynamic ability was immediately apparent on the practice fields last summer, which led to the sixth-round pick making the Patriots 53-man roster out of training camp.

After a four catch, 40-yard performance in his NFL debut, Douglas hit a road block the following week as he lost a fumble early in New England’s Week 2 contest which led him to the bench. Douglas, like the rest of the Patriots offense, was then quiet for the next three games but the rookie suffered a concussion in Week 5 which cost him the following game.

Returning from injury in Week 7, Douglas played a key role in a victory over the Bills in which he recorded four catches for 54 yards. When Kendrick Bourne then suffered a torn ACL the following week, Douglas’ role expanded in New England’s offense.

The larger role led to increased production, as Pop paced the Patriots’ passing attack with 22 receptions for 213 yards in four games from Weeks 8-12. But, Douglas suffered another concussion on a violent hit during a punt return that cost him the following two games.

Douglas returned for the last four games of the regular season where he eventually became the most productive rookie wide receiver in the Bill Belichick-era. That was largely due to his ability with the ball in his hands, as Douglas finished the year tied for fourth among all qualified receivers averaging 7.0 yards after the catch.

Patriots preview

What will be his role? Despite a new offensive system, Douglas will remain in the Z/slot role moving forward in an offense that uses more three wide receiver sets compared to last season. While he likely won’t be a high volume wide receiver, Douglas should continue to be a strong complementary piece who can make things happen with the ball in his hands. In a run heavy system, however, Douglas’ early down usage could be determined based off how the coaches view his run blocking skillset.

What is his growth potential? Douglas’ size and concussion history may restrict him from ever carrying an NFL passing attack. But, his stop-start suddenness and ability to create after the catch will allow him to continue to play a key complementary role in an NFL passing attack — especially if he builds off his strong rookie season.

He, along with the rest of New England’s receivers, should also benefit from better QB play this season. Specifically with Drake Maye, who had a strong connection with his own shifty slot receiver, Josh Downs, while at UNC.

Does he have positional versatility? Due to his 5-foot-8, 192 pound frame, Douglas is an inside receiver in the NFL. That’s where he primarily aligned last year as he recorded 310 snaps in the slot compared to 169 out wide. Douglas also brings value as a punt returner, as he recorded 11 returns for 56 yards last year.

What is his salary cap situation? As a sixth-round selection in last year’s draft, Douglas carries a cap hit of just under $950,000 in year two of his four year rookie deal. The late-round find makes him a strong bargain at the receiver position.

How safe is his roster spot? After a strong rookie season, Douglas is just one of four receivers in an 11 man room who should be locked-in to the Patriots 53-man roster. The 24-year old brings a dynamic skillset that not many others can provide and showed the ability of playing a weekly role in a passing attack.

One-sentence projection: Douglas may never be a No. 1 in an NFL offense, but he’s got the skillset to build off a strong rookie season to continue to play an important part of New England’s passing game.

What do you think about DeMario Douglas heading into the 2024 season? Will he become a valuable contributor in New England as well? Or will he be little more than a role player? Please head down to the comment section to discuss.