The New England Patriots' wide receiver room had its fair share of ups and downs this past season. One player who had high expectations coming into the season was third-year wideout DeMario Douglas, who was coming off a solid sophomore season in which he finished with 66 catches for 621 yards and three touchdowns.
With Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator, it seemed like Douglas was primed for a breakout in 2025.
Instead, it was the opposite.
In his third season, Douglas posted his least amount of catches (31) and yards (447), while matching his three touchdowns from 2024. Things didn't get that much better during the playoffs. Douglas finished with four catches for 84 yards and one touchdown in four games.
Now that we're deeper in the offseason, the Patriots might start thinking more about what the future looks like for Douglas ahead of a contract year. And based on how things went last season, his outlook isn't great.
It's Time for DeMario Douglas to Secure His Future
Entering his fourth NFL season, Douglas is in his final season on his rookie contract. The former sixth-round pick out of Liberty has had a better career than the average player picked in that round, but his play might not be enough to keep him on the roster. With the NFL draft right around the corner, one of the Patriots' needs to upgrade is the wide receiver position.
So far during the offseason, the New England Patriots have made changes to the wide receiver room, with top receiver Stefon Diggs released and signing Romeo Doubs. With second-year wide receivers Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III still in the mix, though, Douglas could fall behind in the pecking order if he doesn't have a strong summer.
That's without mentioning how Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte will also be returning, as well as the fact that No. 1 tight end Hunter Henry will command his fair share of targets, too.
Only time will tell if the Patriots will prioritize adding another set of hands when the 2026 draft rolls around. WR prospects like Clemson's Antonio Williams, Ole Miss' De'Zhaun Stribling, and UConn's Skyler Bell are just some of the options that will likely be available on Day 2, should New England opt to use the 31st overall pick on another position.
For Douglas to guarantee himself a spot with the Patriots for the foreseeable future, he'll need to put this past season behind him and look to have his best season yet in 2026. Should Douglas improve his play from his third season, then re-signing with the Patriots would be expected.
If Douglas can't improve as much as the Patriots coaching staff hopes for, this could be the last season we see Douglas playing in New England.