The Patriots passing game has been putrid this season, posting the fifth-lowest Total EPA. So being one of the leaders of the receiving group isn’t something to brag about. That said, being one of the leaders in any situation is always a good thing, and DeMario Douglas has been that for the Patriots this season, as he is second on the team in targets despite notching a bagel in Week 2 and not getting a full complement of snaps in Week 7 due to an illness.
But he’s healthy now and ready to get back to business. And there are flickers of optimism in New England regarding the passing game as Drake Maye has taken over the reins from Jacoby Brissett.
In two games, Maye has gone 50-of-78 for 541 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. The rating is 95.1 while the Total EPA is -12. That doesn’t look great until you compare it to what Brissett did as a starter, throwing two touchdowns in 135 attempts and posting a -45.2 Total EPA.
DeMario Douglas is 5-foot-8, 179 yards and runs a 4.44 40. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Targets are earned, and he’s done just that this season, garnering a 23.2% target share and posting a respectable 7.1 Rec EPA.
Maye peppered him with nine targets in Week 6 and the two young players should continue to build chemistry with each other as the season progresses. Douglas has only one target over 20 yards with the majority of his looks within 10 yards, so Douglas will be available for those quick, easy reads for Maye.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
