After releasing Stefon Diggs this offseason, the New England Patriots have found their new No. 1 receiver for Drake Maye, but this means they could trade wideout Demario Douglas. The team signed Doubs to a long-term four-year deal worth $80 million, so New England is preparing to run it back in 2027 after the Super Bowl. However, this likely means that Douglas is being phased out of the receiver locker room that already contains plenty of talent. Between Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Efton Chism, the Patriots would probably Douglas amongst what they have.
Douglas is coming off his worst season statistically, recording 31 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Boutte and Diggs had a larger role alongside Hollins in situational moments, and it probably will get worse for Douglas now that Doubs is in the mix. Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Liberty product is entering the final year of his rookie deal this upcoming season. Douglas reportedly doesn’t want to leave, but it will be up to what the Patriots do.
The receiver could be an intriguing piece for teams to target in this year’s draft. Douglas is a solid slot receiver who can thrive as a WR3 that needs depth in their receiver room. It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone if the Patriots decide to put Douglas on the trade block to allow him to be explosive somewhere else while New England is still rebuilding the offense that head coach Mike Vrabel wants.
Patriots Romeo Doubs Signing Could Force Demario Douglas Trade
Possible Next Teams
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are hitting the right cylinders on defense, signing Leo Chenal and Odafe Oweh on massive deals. However, they haven’t grabbed a receiver since losing Kendrick Bourne to the Cardinals. The team originally brought in Bourne to fill in as a depth piece behind Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey, but he suffered a season-ending injury. The Commanders’ defense looks loaded, and they replicate the same on offense if they want to trade for Douglas.
McCaffrey is the future of this offense, and with Samuel likely headed to a new team, the Commanders trading for a low-stakes, cheap receiver like Douglas makes sense. Douglas could emerge as a temporary WR2 option alongside McLaurin if they don’t re-sign Samuel.
Minnesota Vikings
Meanwhile, the Vikings need a receiver as well. While most of the spotlight has been on JJ McCarthy and his uncertain future with the team, no one can navigate this offense without having more than one capable receiver. Justin Jefferson is the star and is not going anywhere, but the Jordan Addison trade rumors haven’t gone away. After the team lost Jalen Nailor, there’s an obvious hole that Douglas could fill and turn on the jets to help McCarthy as an effective pocket-passer.
Los Angeles Rams
A promising destination for Douglas is the Los Angeles Rams. After trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson to bolster the secondary, the team is automatically on watch to make their case for a Super Bowl appearance. However, there’s still some work left to do in the receiver core group for veteran Matthew Stafford. While Davante Adams and Puka Nacua have done phenomenally well for this pass offense, all good things must come to an end.
This means Stafford is likely in his final year in the league, and Adams could likely follow regardless of what happens during the 2026 campaign. Why not let Sean McVay put the pedal to the medal and trade for Douglas to emerge as a WR3 and make a name for himself as a long-term weapon for the Rams?