The New England Patriots coaching staff has made it clear that they will be looking to upgrade the talent on their roster for the 2024 season. Luckily for them, slot receiver will most likely be a low priority seeing as they have DeMario Douglas under contract. With a disappointing 2023 season in the rearview mirror, Douglas was one of the very few bright spots. As a sixth round pick, Douglas was very underrated heading into Foxborough. His college highlights showed some great potential with multiple big plays, and great athleticism, but being one of the smaller receivers at five foot eight inches, created some doubts about how he would hold up on the NFL. Douglas answered these doubts with some great flashes as a rookie and looks like he could be a huge building block of the future in New England.
Douglas showed in 2023 why he could be the next great slot receiver to walk the halls of Patriot Place. His speed and agility make him an elite threat with the ball in his hands. New Patriots Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt should be incredibly excited thinking about ways to get the ball in the hands of Douglas. Whether it is screen passes, quick routes, or even some type of sweep play where Douglas gets a handoff, there are so many different things that could be done to involve him in the game plan. Having an explosive weapon already on the roster for 2024 is very important in an off-season that will require multiple new players and a lot of uncertainty. The Foxborough Faithful should be very excited to see how Douglas will be involved in the new offensive scheme.
The Patriots could also create an even better situation for Douglas if they make the right moves in Free Agency and the NFL Draft. By adding a star outside receiver, it would allow Douglas favorable matchups against slot corners that will find it very difficult to keep up with him. His route running could use some improvement, but with the agility he already has, it will make it much easier for him to improve his game. The last great receiver the Patriots had was Julian Edelman. Douglas should look to a player like Edelman as a way to model his game. Edelman was a late round draft pick as well and from day one had a thirst to prove himself. Douglas seems to have shown that same type of motivation and if he can turn into the receiver Edelman was, New England fans should be very excited. Douglas is going to be a huge name to keep an eye on in 2024 and beyond if the Patriots can help maximize his potential.
Will Douglas be the breakout star of 2024?
The Patriots have quite a few players on the defensive side of the ball that could break out in 2024, but not many on the offensive side of the ball. With a full off-season of training, a new offensive coordinator, and potentially a new quarterback, Douglas could see his stats skyrocket. With his big play ability, and perhaps a better quarterback that will get him the ball more often, Douglas will be a name to watch out for in 2024, and might just become one of the better weapons in the AFC East.