DeMario Douglas won’t be the biggest wide receiver on the field for the Patriots, but he will be the most explosive.

The third-year wideout has looked like the team’s best pass-catcher through two weeks of training camp, including an impressive joint practice against the Washington Commanders on Wednesday. Douglas once again excelled with his ability to create separation and provide juice after the catch, qualities which prompted quarterback Drake Maye to look his way every time he got into trouble.

“Douglas’ athleticism stands out,” Perry said during the Next Pats podcast. “He is so difficult to cover in tight spaces. And you could understand why Drake Maye wants to go to him as frequently as he did.”

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Perry believes the shifty chain-mover ultimately will be New England’s most productive receiver this season. Fellow insider Tom E. Curran agrees it’ll be Douglas who is the “hub of the offense.”

The Patriots, Perry said, could use Douglas similarly to how the Baltimore Ravens have used Zay Flowers.

A first-round pick out of Boston College, Flowers earned Pro Bowl honors after he caught 74 of the 116 balls thrown his way for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He, like Douglas, relies on his ability to create separation.

“The other guy I like as a comp for Pop Douglas, in terms of how you might be able to use him,” Perry said, “I’m talking about BC’s own Zay Flowers in Baltimore.”

The 5-foot-9, 183-pound Flowers possesses similar size to Douglas (5-foot-8, 192). And while Flowers might offer a bit more in vertical speed, he still lined up in the slot 38% of the time. Douglas figures to see much more time in the slot, but their size and skillsets nevertheless create similarities.

“I think there could be some breadcrumbs left there by Baltimore,” Perry said. “Last year, in terms of getting a guy with that size, with that skillset, and making him one of the most productive players at his position. To me, if you want to be as explosive as possible, that means more targets for Pop Douglas.

“Baltimore, by the way, a team that obviously loves to run the football, and comfortable having a 5-9, 182 guy running around out there playing almost 40% of his plays in the slot,” Perry continued. “So, it can be done. That would be the guy that I’m watching, to make sure that we’re (Patriots) doing everything possible to get the most out of the guy that, in my opinion, and I think it should be in their opinion, is their most physically gifted receiver.”

Douglas hasn’t had the same production as Flowers since they entered the league together. The sixth-rounder hauled in 66 receptions on 87 targets for 621 yards in 2024 — career highs across the board. Flowers has caught almost 40 more passes for nearly 800 more yards.

That’s not to say Douglas doesn’t have the skillset, however. Now it’ll be up to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Maye to unlock it. Much like quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have unlocked Flowers.

Also in this episode:

Patriots “belonged” during joint practice against Commanders

Drake Maye has high praise for Douglas

Takeaways from Maye’s showing against Washington

Mailbag questions