FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots don't have many household names in the wide receiver room, but they do have talent that potentially can make an impact when it matters most.
DeMario Douglas was one of the stars in training camp last offseason, and "Pop" showed that off during the first two weeks of training camp. The 23-year-old mostly has been seen wearing a red non-contact jersey, but he's been one of the standout pass-catchers in competitive drills, which has helped Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett stay consistent in practice.
"It's been great. Obviously, I got to learn how to throw to a little shorter guy a little bit more," Brissett said. "His explosiveness, what he can do in stretching the field, obviously, it's a weapon for us -- building that chemistry. And he's a guy that loves football, you can tell. He pops off of the tape, no pun intended. It's a lot of fun having him in the huddle. His energy is contagious."
Brissett hit Douglas on a nice seam pass during Friday's practice, and the second-year wide receiver showed in the 14 games last season that he has the potential to expand his route tree outside of horizontal routes.
"He definitely took a couple of chunks out of the defense (Friday)," Brissett said. "It's all going to be predicated on how the games go and obviously, the defense and things like that. He has that ability to stretch the field, and obviously, we're trying to get as much of him as we can."
Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Tyquan Thornton also have made their marks during training camp, but it could be the infectious attitude from Douglas that spread for the offense.
"First and foremost, it's just the quickness and the speed," Jerod Mayo told reporters Saturday, per Patriots transcript. "He is a smaller guy, but he’s very elusive. Just his ultimate competitive attitude, I think really helps the offense go as far as energy is concerned."
Mayo got into Bill Belichick mode when discussing who would play in the preseason. Douglas' non-contact jersey would indicate he might not get much playing time Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, but if he does, it should serve as a good first step for the offense when games arrive.
