The silver lining to the Patriots loss to the Texans was clearly the debut performance of Drake Maye. The rookie quarterback had his expected share of mistakes but against the contrast of three touchdown throws and a handful of plays that demonstrated Maye's unique talent, the belief and confidence that the third overall pick is just embarking on an exciting NFL career was palpable in the locker room following the game.
"I love [Drake] gained confidence throughout the game and I thought it was a good first game for him," said leading receiver DeMario Douglas. "He's [a good player] and I like the confidence that he had going into his first game. They are a good team and he held his own."
Douglas, as well as second-year receiver Kayshon Boutte, were both beneficiaries of Maye's solid start. Each caught their first touchdown reception of their career in thrilling fashion. Boutte's 40-yard touchdown reception was a first for both him and Maye, and for a brief moment showed an explosive side to the New England offense that has long been dormant.
"Going into the second quarter, we didn't have momentum from the first quarter, a couple of three-and-outs, back-to-back-to-back," said Boutte. "The defense started sitting on routes when we weren't throwing it deep. I went to Coach and I was like, 'We need to take a shot, I want the ball.' That was the opportunity, and it presented itself. Drake threw a great ball. Great pass from him."
"That was kind of my thought process; give him a chance," said Maye of the first touchdown throw. "I thought the Texans were kind of squatting us a little bit. They came out and challenged us and played in man so I tried to let one ride and give Boutte a chance. He made a nice play, and it was pretty cool. I think both of our first touchdowns, so pretty cool moment. I felt like in this group we can push the ball down the field and make plays in the passing game, so we've just got to keep repping it and see what you like and I've got to make the throws, that's the bottom line."
Boutte emerged in the contest as the receiver who played the most snaps of any in the group. After a quiet start to the season, the LSU product has started to find his stride and is emerging as a key piece of the offense six weeks into the 2024 season.
As a rookie, Boutte caught just two passes for 19 yards while appearing in five games. After sitting out the first two games of 2024, he's caught at least one pass in the last four games and now has seven catches for 106 yards on the season, with improvement coming in each contest.
Recently an afterthought, Boutte is securing his place as one of the team's top wideouts, building off a solid training camp where his reliable hands were on consistent display.
But Boutte is not alone in showing breakout potential, as Douglas is also making growing contributions while posting the best day of his career against the Texans with six catches for 92 yards, finally getting into the end zone for the first time on a 35-yard reception from Maye.
"The other day I was saying that I was going to get my first touchdown catch so it was spoken into existence and manifested it," said Douglas. "I read the defense and saw man. I caught the ball and [said to myself], 'don't fall this time…don't fall this time,' and got into the end zone."
"Pop [DeMario Douglas] is one of our best receivers," said head coach Jerod Mayo after the game. "He can get open against anyone. Those are definitely things we've got to consider."
Like Boutte, Douglas is taking his game to the next level over the last four weeks with 22 catches, nearly on pace for a 100-catch season that many predicted was a possibility after a promising rookie season where he grabbed 49 catches for 561 yards.
Douglas is easily on pace to top those numbers and, as he, Boutte and Maye continue to grow their chemistry the ceiling is rising. The trio represents an emerging young core on offense.
"I think AVP [Alex Van Pelt] did a great job, his game plan," said veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, who continues to up his workload after coming off of PUP last week. "Pop [Demario Douglas] had a great day, Boutte had a great day. Just scheming, kind of anticipating what they're going to do. Pop was kind of that tough spot for them on the defense, he ran some really good routes. I think we schemed well, and Drake threw the ball really good."
While Maye will get most of the attention as the quarterback, Douglas and Boutte's performances are reminders that they are also parts of the rising tide that a good quarterback can empower.
"We have a young offense, and we are making progress," said Douglas. "Our first game together as a young offense and I felt like we should be moving forward after this game."
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