That was a pretty brutal start for Romeo Doubs. The Patriots signed him to a four-year deal worth up to $80 million, and they’re still waiting for him to catch his first pass.
Doubs didn’t even see a target in the first three quarters, but it was the fourth quarter where things really unraveled. There was a long ball that was thrown his way. Were Doubs able to play that one better, it would have turned into an incompletion. But he instead came inches short of even getting a hand on it, allowing the Seahawks to bat it up, turning it into an interception.
Later in the fourth, Doubs had a clean drop on an easy drop that would have moved the sticks at midfield. That played a role in Drake Maye throwing his second interception on the next play.
Doubs’ only other target came on a third-and-two late. He didn’t get much separation and the ball fell incomplete.
Now, it’s never a good idea to overreact to what happens in Week 1. (As Hans Gruber says, we stick to the plan.) But nor do we want to be too slow to react to what’s happening right in front of us.
In this case, I see no reason to believe Doubs will be much better (if at all) than Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas. It was Hollins on Wednesday who was making all the big catches. With his physical presence as a blocker, I’m sure he’ll continue to factor into their offense. And Douglas last entrenched as their slot guy.
All three of these guys, of course, should see increased usage for the remainder of the month, with A.J. Brown leaving last night with what’s being called a high-ankle sprain.
But I’m not feeling it for Doubs. Not a guy I can imagine using. They’re hosting the Packers in early November; maybe I would be willing to toss him into a lineup that week. But otherwise, I think I’d be willing to cut him loose for some other prospect who’ll likely emerge on Sunday – somebody who managed to slip through the August draft without being selected.
Doubs has long had issues with his hands. Just 3 drops last year, but 9, 6 and 7 in his first three seasons. Since he came into the league, 36 wide receivers have caught at least 200 passes. Doubs has the worst drop rate of all of those guys.
| WR DROPS (since 2022) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | Drops | Pct |
| Nico Collins | 256 | 7 | 2.7% |
| Jakobi Meyers | 300 | 9 | 3.0% |
| Justin Jefferson | 383 | 14 | 3.7% |
| A.J. Brown | 339 | 13 | 3.8% |
| Chris Godwin | 270 | 11 | 4.1% |
| Drake London | 309 | 13 | 4.2% |
| Cooper Kupp | 250 | 11 | 4.4% |
| Michael Pittman | 357 | 16 | 4.5% |
| Terry McLaurin | 276 | 13 | 4.7% |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 217 | 11 | 5.1% |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 352 | 18 | 5.1% |
| Wan'Dale Robinson | 268 | 14 | 5.2% |
| DJ Moore | 307 | 17 | 5.5% |
| DeVonta Smith | 321 | 18 | 5.6% |
| George Pickens | 267 | 15 | 5.6% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 457 | 26 | 5.7% |
| Tyler Lockett | 244 | 14 | 5.7% |
| Puka Nacua | 313 | 18 | 5.8% |
| Adam Thielen | 240 | 14 | 5.8% |
| Keenan Allen | 325 | 19 | 5.8% |
| Stefon Diggs | 347 | 22 | 6.3% |
| CeeDee Lamb | 418 | 27 | 6.5% |
| Tyreek Hill | 340 | 22 | 6.5% |
| Mike Evans | 260 | 17 | 6.5% |
| Chris Olave | 291 | 20 | 6.9% |
| Garrett Wilson | 315 | 22 | 7.0% |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 290 | 20 | 6.9% |
| Zay Flowers | 237 | 17 | 7.2% |
| Davante Adams | 348 | 26 | 7.5% |
| Tee Higgins | 248 | 20 | 8.1% |
| DK Metcalf | 281 | 23 | 8.2% |
| Jaylen Waddle | 269 | 23 | 8.6% |
| Deebo Samuel | 239 | 23 | 9.6% |
| Jerry Jeudy | 261 | 30 | 11.5% |
| Courtland Sutton | 278 | 32 | 11.5% |
| Romeo Doubs | 202 | 26 | 12.9% |
—Ian Allan
