Patriots' Rookie WR: Next Julian Edelman?
In this story:
In the realm of promising rookies for the New England Patriots, focusing solely on Kayshon Boutte as the sole receiver poised to make a name for himself in the 2023 NFL Draft would be remiss. Demario Douglas, another sixth-round selection by the Patriots, possesses the potential to be one of the draft's most remarkable finds.
Standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 170 pounds, Douglas, an undersized player from Liberty, has often gone unnoticed. However, those familiar with the New England Patriots' history appreciate their exceptional ability to develop reliable, intelligent, undersized receivers with exceptional hands. With this in mind, Douglas could potentially be the next beneficiary of the Patriots' well-established formula for success.
Former Liberty University coach Hugh Freeze, now at Auburn, who mentored Douglas throughout his college career, greatly admires his ex-protege.
"Y'all [the Patriots] have been great at moving those guys around and putting them in iso situations. I think that is his strength," said Freeze, via ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He could play for me right now at Auburn and start for us. He is the best, most quick-twitched kid at getting in and out of breaks that I've ever coached."
Freeze's endorsement of Douglas earning a starting spot at a prominent SEC institution like Auburn carries significant weight. Douglas excelled during his last season with the Flames, demonstrating his prowess as a high-volume receiver, amassing an impressive career-best stat line of 79 receptions, 993 yards, and six touchdowns.
Drawing parallels to standout Patriots players such as Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, and Danny Amendola, who possessed similar skill sets, highlights New England's proficiency in identifying talents that seamlessly fit their offensive scheme. In this regard, Douglas has found himself in an ideal situation to unlock his full potential and capitalize on ample opportunities as an NFL wide receiver. The Patriots' track record suggests that Douglas has landed in a prime position to thrive.
Follow Jacob Hare on Twitter.
Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
