DeMario

Douglas

Douglas’ 28-yard score on the Patriots’ second series was his first since November 2. He shed a tackle on a 4th-and-1 crosser and was off to the house. Douglas is just a role player in Josh McDaniels’ offense, but one who gets weekly looks. Considering the Broncos’ elite perimeter coverage, Douglas could be something of an AFC Championship Game X-factor over the middle of the field.

Douglas played through the hamstring injury without suffering a setback last week. He was only on the field for eight snaps, though. The Patriots currently hold the AFC’s No. 2 playoff seed, but could finish anywhere from the No. 1 seed to the No. 3 seed, depending on various outcomes. Expect them to have their healthy starters and rotational players on the field for as long as is needed.

Douglas could see an uptick in snaps with Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins out. Kyle Williams is the primary option to fill their roles, but Stefon Diggs will likely have to kick outside more often this week, freeing up some extra slot routes for Douglas. Inactive for the Pats are LB Harold Landry, WR Kayshon Boutte, LB Robert Spillane, OT Marcus Bryant, OG Jared Wilson, DT Khyiris Tonga, and QB Tommy DeVito.

If Douglas doesn’t play, New England’s only three healthy wideouts on the roster will be Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism. Chism would fit best in the slot, so he may get a chance to have a moment against the Jets if Douglas is ruled out.

This is a bit surprising. Douglas exited Week 16 after suffering a hamstring injury. His early-week participation puts him on track to play. Hollins is not so lucky. The lanky speedster was sidelined on Wednesday by an abdominal injury, as was WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion). Rookie WR Kyle Williams would benefit if Hollins and Boutte are sidelined this week.

Initially questionable, he did not actually come back to the game. We’ll see what gets said this week, but it looks like Kyle Williams absorbed most of his snaps. Williams could be a DFS flyer or low-level FLEX option in Week 17 against the Jets.

The diminutive receiver made the most of the opportunities he received but remains unlikely to see significant weekly volume, keeping him from legitimate consideration in fantasy circles for the time being. That said, he could be busier against the nickel-heavy Bills defense in Week 15 following the team’s Week 14 bye.

Douglas’ three targets were good for fifth-most on the team, as both Hunter Henry and TreVeyon Henderson out-targeted him in this one. The third-year slot receiver converted a key fourth-and-short early in the game, but saw his longest gain of 26 yards come on a third-down catch after a defender failed to touch him once he fell to the ground. Douglas is a reliable, sure-handed slot receiver who is on pace for his worst statistical season since entering the league in 2023. There’s just not enough consistent production to make him a reliable option, meaning fantasy managers can continue to fade him in Week 12 against the Bengals.

The two targets were a disappointment on an afternoon where Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) didn’t play, but Douglas has still been more involved of late. Just not enough for him to be a viable WR4 in fantasy, PPR or otherwise. He’s not going to be commanding boffo looks for Thursday’s short-week game against the Jets.

Douglas took his turn as the Patriots’ top pass-catcher this game, leading the team in receiving yards and tying Hunter Henry and TreVeyon Henderson for the team lead in targets. He caught a 17-yard pass from Drake Maye for a first half score and later caught a 58-yard pass downfield for the longest reception of the game. Douglas saw just 16 snaps, but was targeted on 37.5 percent of them. The Pats passing game is fantasy viable but it is difficult to predict who will be the top receiver on a week-to-week basis. Douglas is a boom-or-bust WR4 for Week 10 against the Buccaneers.