The New England Patriots could have a young star about to have a breakout 2024 season. The Patriots have newfound optimism surrounding the team in head coach Jerod Mayo’s first season in New England.
The New England Patriots need their WRs to step up
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye symbolizes hope for the Patriots’ future. During spring practices, veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett appears to have the head start for the QB1 job in September. Regardless of who is under center this season, there were questions coming into the year about who the starting quarterback would throw to. The Patriots have been linked to numerous receivers via potential trades or free agency.
DeMario Douglas had a big spring
According to Chad Graff with The Athletic, 2023 sixth-round pick DeMario Douglas was a player whose stock rose this spring:
Douglas was by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring. Every time he got the ball in his hands, good things seemed to happen for the offense. Now, it’s fair to concede that Kendrick Bourne didn’t practice as he recovers from his ACL tear, but these were important strides for the 23-year-old Douglas.
He was the team’s leading receiver last season — albeit with only 561 yards — and looked even better in spring practices.
Douglas needs to be on the field
This offseason, the Patriots brought in competition for Douglas’ job. Former Minnesota Vikings WR3 K.J. Osborn is expected to receive a lot of snaps in the slot. Graff thinks the Patriots will have to carve a role for Douglas based on what the second-year receiver showed at OTAs:
The tough thing for the Patriots is that Douglas can pretty much only play from the slot, and they already have several receivers who are at their best in that position (including Bourne, K.J. Osborn and JuJu Smith-Schuster). But it’s going to be Alex Van Pelt’s job to figure out how to keep Douglas on the field because he’s the team’s most dynamic receiver.
The Patriots don’t have an elite WR1 or WR2 on the team, but they appear to have depth at the position. If Douglas can elevate his game this season, the Patriots offense should be more of a threat with upgraded quarterback play.
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