DeMario Douglas’ Frustration With Patriots Offense Well-Warranted

New England Patriots receiver DeMario Douglas is getting open.

“You pull up the film,” Douglas told reporters at Gillette Stadium this week. “You can tell.”

The second-year receiver isn’t wrong.

Douglas ranked just outside the top 10 in “separation percentage” during Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He ranks inside the top 20 pass-catchers this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The advanced statistic measures how often a receiver beats the coverage to get open.

Douglas had 14 opportunities to create separation and did so 11 times (78.57% of the time) against the Seahawks. And so far this season, Douglas had 26 opportunities to create separation and did so 18 times (69.23%). No Patriots pass-catcher has created more separation.

That percentage is better than Malik Nabers, Jaylen Waddle, Chris Godwin, Rome Odunze and plenty of others.

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Despite that, Douglas was targeted three times in two games. Five Patriots pass-catchers have seen more targets this season. The shifty slotman was not targeted during New England’s loss to Seattle after he recorded two catches on three targets for 12 yards in Week 1.

It’s completely understandable why Douglas is frustrated. He’s strapping on a helmet and pads just to run cardio. And it’s not like the Patriots have had production come from their other receivers — wideouts have combined for 11 catches and 85 yards in two games. Douglas ranks fifth in catches and sixth in receiving yards in New England.

“Yeah very, very challenging,” Douglas said in reference to Week 2.

Fortunately for Douglas, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett heard and understand his frustrations. Both Mayo and Brissett know they have to get Douglas more involved.

“It’s a good thing that he’s frustrated, you want players that want the ball,” Brissett told reporters, per CLNS Media. “It would be a crime if he didn’t, you know?”

The Patriots have the opportunity to get Douglas more involved when they travel to the New York Jets on Thursday night. It would be wise for them to do so.