When you think about the traditional slot receiver in Patriots OC Josh McDaniels's offense, the usual archetype is a shifty receiver catching short passes over the middle of the field.

In August, Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman described the slot receiver as a "matchup" weapon where McDaniels hunts mismatches with defenders inside the formation. For example, it might be a slot receiver running a route on a linebacker or safety between the numbers rather than a cornerback, which would be a favorable situation for the offense.

"McDaniels knows how to use that slot, use matchup play, getting different bodies on different bodies. That's what the slot does. You're putting them in so many different spots they're getting different matchups," Edelman told Patriots.com.

Traditionally, the slot receiver in McDaniels' scheme runs shorter routes. However, the Pats OC is adapting the role to better suit third-year WR DeMario Douglas this season. Douglas says he's "back in [his] element" by running routes deeper downfield as more of a "speed" slot.

This season, Douglas is averaging a career-high 10.2 air yards per target, a substantial increase from his first two years in the NFL (6.9 yards). Douglas is running deep crossing routes, double moves (corner/posts), and wheel routes, leading to a career-high 100 receiving yards on just four catches in last Sunday's win over the Falcons.

It took some time for the third-year receiver to find his niche, but things are clicking now. Earlier in the season, the Patriots were targeting Douglas on much shorter routes, and he had some struggles. In the first five weeks, Douglas's average target depth was just 5.8 air yards, and he only caught 7-of-16 targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Over the last month, Douglas's average target depth exploded to 15.3 air yards, and so has his production: 11-of-14, 232 yards, 2 TDs.

"It feels good to run those routes again and be back in my element. That's been a blessing," Douglas said. "I feel like Josh [McDaniels], he's seen that, and that's what makes him a great OC. He sees what we're good at and he keeps it up."

The element that Douglas is referring to is his roots as a receiver at Liberty University. In college, Douglas was a vertical slot as well, averaging 12.3 air yards per target in his senior season. The Pats wideout's college highlights are filled with him taking the top off the defense on similar routes as the ones he's running with the Patriots.

"That's what got me [to the NFL]. If you watch my college highlights, the routes I was running are the ones that Josh [McDaniels] has me running now. I'm like, man, you must've watched my college film. He's been doing his thing with that," Douglas said.

For example, Douglas's breakout began when he caught a 53-yard touchdown against the Saints in Week 6, which, at the time, was the longest reception of his NFL career. With QB Drake Maye rolling to his right, Douglas ran a corner-post route, where he turned the safety around by faking (or nodding) to the corner before breaking away from coverage on the post. Douglas runs the route perfectly, separating from Saints CB Quincy Riley and S Jonas Sanker.

Along with featuring him on vertical double-moves, the Patriots are also allowing Douglas to run deep crossing routes, which amplifies his speed to run away from man coverage. Last Sunday, Douglas topped his 53-yard TD vs. the Saints with a new career-long 58-yard reception on a deep crossing route, where he gained nearly 30 yards after the catch.

This time, Douglas is running a deep crossing route that intersects with WR Stefon Diggs, who is running the same route going in the opposite direction. By crossing downfield, Diggs and Douglas create a natural rub, which makes it difficult for the man coverage defenders to stay connected to the Patriots receivers. In this case, Douglas's route was supposed to clear out space for Diggs, but Maye decided to throw to Douglas.

"I was picking for Steph," Douglas said. "I looked back [to check for a pursuing defender], and it gave me a little whiplash. I had to fix myself. I was joking [with the guys] about that. I would've stepped back and let him fly by, but it still worked out."

Although he runs most of his routes from the slot, McDaniels had a great play design where Douglas started in the backfield last week. By lining him up essentially at running back, Douglas draws a backside coverage matchup with Falcons pass-rusher Jalon Walker, a mismatch in the Patriots favor, and Douglas runs by Walker for a 17-yard touchdown.

"We know they kind of go man here and there. So, me in the backfield, I could line up with the linebacker. So, Coach [Josh] McDaniels did a great job of scheming that play up. As I come off, I see a D-end on me. That might be a backer lined up at the end. As soon as I saw him try to connect with me, I just ran past him, but that's a good play call by Coach McDaniels," Douglas said.

Most projected Douglas to have a significant role in the offense, with some saying he could catch 80-plus passes playing in the slot for McDaniels. However, some early-season struggles with being on the same page as Maye slowed that progress. Eventually, it led to featuring Douglas as more of a vertical threat rather than the quick-hitting routes over the middle of the field, which is paying huge dividends. As a position group, the wide receivers have developed into a strength of the Patriots offense. Some of that credit goes to Maye's stellar play and McDaniels's scheming, but the receivers deserve credit, too. Douglas is a testament to "trusting the process," as he said following his career game on Sunday.

Based on their comments this week, Douglas's quarterback and head coach are taking notice of his energy and persistence to find his niche in the offense.

"I appreciate the way he's approached every day, coming into the facility, coming to practice. He practices as hard as anybody out there. He runs routes. He's always wanting to run routes during practice, and then run them again if we mess something up or miss him," said Maye. "When he's gotten his chance, I've missed him a few times. He's been open a lot on film, so he just keeps on running, and his energy has been contagious."

"Anytime you can get a player in there, in the slot, that can work vertical, can track the ball. I think Drake looks for him when he extends down the field. So, those are all important things. He's been reliable. He's created separation," head coach Mike Vrabel added. "He has infectious energy that everybody loves being around…It's just a great example of being ready to go."

With the Patriots getting solid production from several of their wide receivers, Douglas is the latest pass-catcher to break out in New England's passing offense.

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