If you're a slot receiver in Josh McDaniels offense, there's a good chance you'll eat. Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow can all speak to that. But so can Kendrick Bourne, Chris Hogan, and even Mohamed Sanu. Not only has McDaniels built schemes around those players' strengths, but he's also incredibly adept at modifying said scheme to utilize different skill sets from that position.
For instance, Meyers is a significantly bigger slot than his predecessors in New England and not as quick. Yet, in 2021-22, McDaniels found a way to highlight what the bigger-bodied receiver could do inside while also finding explosive reps for Bourne throughout the season. Combined, in that limited offense (pop-gun Mac Jones at QB), the two recorded 80 catches, 869 yards, and 6 touchdowns from the slot.
Last year, under Alex Van Pelt, the Pats were far too reliant on isolation routes, especially in key spots. You'll see some of that from McDaniels if he believes his guy is much better than your guy. Still, generally, the veteran offensive coordinator will use motion or bunch formations to create easier releases for his pass catchers. Think back to how often Meyers, not a burner or jackrabbit, had windows open for him because of that and the optionality in his routes.
"I think it's gonna be lovely," said DeMario Douglas when we spoke with him last week. "We're just with our first two installs, so once we open up that book — it's gonna be crazy. So the defense has got something on us right now. But once we open that book, it's gonna become something good."
This is a massive opportunity for the former 6th-round pick out of Liberty. I have questions about his overall fit in the scheme, starting with his size. He's played each of his first two seasons at around 182 pounds and, as such, is not much of a blocker. In fact, Pop gets tossed around like a drunk on one of those mechanical bulls, and it's not for a lack of effort. He's just surrendering too much mass cracking down on edges, box safeties, or even some of the bigger corners. To quote Robin Williams from 'Good Will Hunting,' Pop, 'it's not your fault.'
The other potential issue for Douglas is his overall feel for spacing in the passing game. Too often in 2024-25, we saw receivers run the route as it appeared on paper (or incorrectly, but that's a different animal entirely) instead of reacting to the coverage they saw in front of them. On Drake Maye's game-ending interception against the Rams, the quarterback wanted Douglas to throttle down in the deep middle; instead, he carried the route, leading to a wildly off-target throw that settled comfortably into the safety's hands. If Pop - and others - are going to elevate, they need to develop that feel and do it quickly because he has some of those qualities that any offense can use - quickness and hands.
"Pop, you can't guard him in a phone booth," Maye told us during last season. "He's tough to guard in man coverage, and he's got the knack for finding the zone. He's a great, great guy to have out there. Makes my job a little easier. Anytime you see a man matchup, Pop is somebody you want to go to."
That's why Douglas led the team with 66 receptions. Now, his challenge is to take that next step and help elevate a group that no one has feared.
"If you're trying to prove something — I feel like you're going to get caught up with trying to prove something," said Douglas. "So I feel like, man, just compete. As we compete, we're gonna do better.
"I feel like — just get open. You get open, the ball's gonna come your way. Even if it doesn't come your way, I mean, it's gonna show up on film that you're getting open. And other people can see. And on film, it's gonna show."
