DeMario Douglas is ‘Back in [His] Element’ as a Vertical Slot Receiver in the Patriots Offense

This time, Douglas is running a deep crossing route that intersects with WR Stefon Diggs, who is running the same route going in the opposite direction. By crossing downfield, Diggs and Douglas create a natural rub, which makes it difficult for the man coverage defenders to stay connected to the Patriots receivers. In this case, Douglas’s route was supposed to clear out space for Diggs, but Maye decided to throw to Douglas.

“I was picking for Steph,” Douglas said. “I looked back [to check for a pursuing defender], and it gave me a little whiplash. I had to fix myself. I was joking [with the guys] about that. I would’ve stepped back and let him fly by, but it still worked out.”

Although he runs most of his routes from the slot, McDaniels had a great play design where Douglas started in the backfield last week. By lining him up essentially at running back, Douglas draws a backside coverage matchup with Falcons pass-rusher Jalon Walker, a mismatch in the Patriots favor, and Douglas runs by Walker for a 17-yard touchdown.

“We know they kind of go man here and there. So, me in the backfield, I could line up with the linebacker. So, Coach [Josh] McDaniels did a great job of scheming that play up. As I come off, I see a D-end on me. That might be a backer lined up at the end. As soon as I saw him try to connect with me, I just ran past him, but that’s a good play call by Coach McDaniels,” Douglas said.

Most projected Douglas to have a significant role in the offense, with some saying he could catch 80-plus passes playing in the slot for McDaniels. However, some early-season struggles with being on the same page as Maye slowed that progress. Eventually, it led to featuring Douglas as more of a vertical threat rather than the quick-hitting routes over the middle of the field, which is paying huge dividends. As a position group, the wide receivers have developed into a strength of the Patriots offense. Some of that credit goes to Maye’s stellar play and McDaniels’s scheming, but the receivers deserve credit, too. Douglas is a testament to “trusting the process,” as he said following his career game on Sunday.

Based on their comments this week, Douglas’s quarterback and head coach are taking notice of his energy and persistence to find his niche in the offense.

“I appreciate the way he’s approached every day, coming into the facility, coming to practice. He practices as hard as anybody out there. He runs routes. He’s always wanting to run routes during practice, and then run them again if we mess something up or miss him,” said Maye. “When he’s gotten his chance, I’ve missed him a few times. He’s been open a lot on film, so he just keeps on running, and his energy has been contagious.”

“Anytime you can get a player in there, in the slot, that can work vertical, can track the ball. I think Drake looks for him when he extends down the field. So, those are all important things. He’s been reliable. He’s created separation,” head coach Mike Vrabel added. “He has infectious energy that everybody loves being around…It’s just a great example of being ready to go.”

With the Patriots getting solid production from several of their wide receivers, Douglas is the latest pass-catcher to break out in New England’s passing offense.