New England Patriots' slot receiver DeMario Douglas could be an x-factor in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme, and it could come in a similar way to Baltimore Ravens' receiver Zay Flowers' usage.
Patriots’ DeMario Douglas Poised for 2025 Role Like Ravens’ Zay Flowers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New England Patriots offense will look a lot different in 2025. Not only do the Patriots have a new offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, who returned to New England after his head coaching stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, but there are also new weapons on offense.
Quarterback Drake Maye is entering his second season, and he'll do so with more support up front, and a new No. 1 receiver is Stefon Diggs. However, the pass catcher who led all Patriots' receivers in yardage in 2024 may be an x-factor in New England's new McDaniels-led offense.
Receiver DeMario Douglas, known in New England as "Pop" Douglas, led all Patriots' receivers and was second on the team behind tight end Hunter Henry with 621 receiving yards in 2024.
With his size and ability in the slot, NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry believes McDaniels could use him similarly to how the Baltimore Ravens have used receiver Zay Flowers. Douglas may not have the speed that Flowers possesses, but the two receivers have a similar frame that could give McDaniels ideas of how to maximize Pop's potential.
“DeMario Douglas has been the Patriots’ best pass-catcher, and it isn’t close,” per @tkyles39
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 26, 2025
“He looks more comfortable than ever under Josh McDaniels, consistently getting open, catching everything thrown his way, and quickly becoming Drake Maye’s top target.”
POP SZN 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/cjTIVa5ODo
“I think there could be some breadcrumbs left there by Baltimore,” Perry said on The Next Pats Podcast. “Last year, in terms of getting a guy with that size, with that skillset, and making him one of the most productive players at his position. To me, if you want to be as explosive as possible, that means more targets for Pop Douglas."
Flowers led the Ravens in receiving last year with 1,049 yards on 77 receptions and scored four touchdowns. Douglas only reached 621 yards, but reeled in 66 catches and three touchdowns on 87 targets, nearly 30 fewer than Flowers had.
Perry continued by mentioning that he's also seen Douglas get in on the blocking action. The Patriots' slot receiver has chipped on the edge, helped rookie left tackle Will Campbell, and been willing to block in the run game. So, even if the Patriots want to be run-focused, it doesn't need to take Douglas out of the game.
“Baltimore, by the way, a team that obviously loves to run the football, and comfortable having a 5-9, 182 guy running around out there playing almost 40% of his plays in the slot. So, it can be done," Perry said. "That would be the guy that I’m watching, to make sure that we’re (Patriots) doing everything possible to get the most out of the guy that, in my opinion, and I think it should be in their opinion, is their most physically gifted receiver.”
McDaniels' offense has always been known for its complexity and how it utilizes its slot receivers. Douglas has progressed through his first two years in the league, but if McDaniels makes him a prominent part of the game plan through the slot each week, Pop could be in store for a breakout 2025 campaign.
Douglas played four years in college at Liberty and collected nearly 1,000 yards on almost 80 catches in his senior year. If given the right opportunity, the slot receiver has the ability, and McDaniels' offensive scheme might be the perfect match.
Related: Patriots’ Mack Hollins Speaks on ‘Most Competitive WR Room’ He’s Been a Part Of
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
