"From what was seen during the offseason, it appeared DeMario Douglas was dwindling in the revamped Patriots offense under Josh McDaniels, despite how good he had been for the team over the last few years. That wasn't the initial thought when the offensive coordinator returned to New England, though, as he is known for using slot receivers to the fullest."
"So there was a lot of optimism that Douglas could become a vital weapon for Drake Maye again this year, only for his lack of inclusion throughout training camp to seemingly lower those chances. Fortunately, the rise of Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs has made the Patriots offense a legitimate threat again, allowing Douglas to establish a new role he has never played before."
"Because defenses are more concerned with covering his teammates, it has allowed Douglas to make explosive plays for big yardage and touchdowns, making him an immediate secret weapon for Maye to take advantage of. That might be what we continue to see from the receiver, and based on what we've seen through the first eight games, that might be the best way to use Douglas moving forward."
DeMario Douglas entered the season with uncertainty about his role in Josh McDaniels' revamped Patriots offense despite strong past production. Expectations rose because McDaniels traditionally utilizes slot receivers, but limited inclusion during training camp lowered immediate projections. The emergence of Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs shifted defensive attention, allowing Douglas to operate in a new capacity as a deep-play and sudden-impact target. Douglas has responded with explosive gains and touchdowns, highlighted by back-to-back drives against the Saints — one ending in a touchdown later nullified by officials — and another notable performance versus the Titans that energized teammates. The new role may maximize his value to Drake Maye.
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