Patriots’ Demario Douglas ‘Motivated’ To Prove Critics Wrong

The expectations surrounding the Patriots’ wide receiver group aren’t very lofty despite New England making roster upgrades in the offseason.

While no one is quite sure who will emerge as the Patriots’ top wideout, Demario Douglas feels the room will be “way better” than the receiving corps last season.

“It’s going to be nice this year. (We’re) way better than we did last year,” Douglas told reporters after Day 4 of Patriots training camp, per team-provided video. “Don’t get me wrong, we had some receivers, but I feel like it’s a whole different room this year.”

Douglas dazzled during his rookie season, totaling 49 receptions for 561 yards and no touchdowns, but missed three games due to injury. He is fully prepared for the attention he will garner from the opposing defenses.

“We got some dogs. They put their attention on me, the dogs are gonna eat,” he said. “So, regardless, I feel like if they (put) all their attention on me someone else is going to eat or the other way around. If they on other people, I’m going to eat.”

The Patriots might heavily rely on Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in their rookie campaigns along with veteran Kendrick Bourne and Douglas. The second-year wideout said everyone is focused on being better this season and proving the rankings wrong.

“Everybody right now,” Douglas said. “Everybody is stepping up. I can’t point one person out. I feel like everybody is stepping up and playing different positions. … (The low rankings) motivated me, for sure, and I’ve seen it motivate others too. I feel like if the younger guys feel that way, it’s going to do nothing but motivate us too. It’s going to be good.”