Pats Pulpit
Mike Vrabel detailed the slot receiver’s progression on Monday.
The list of New England Patriots offseason award winners begins at No. 3.
At least, that’s where Mike Vrabel started the list Monday when asked about the progression of wide receiver DeMario Douglas.
“Great energy, great demeanor, very coachable,” the Patriots head coach told reporters prior to the first full-pads practice of training camp. “One of our offseason award winners. So, he obviously worked extremely hard, was here every day, ready to learn, ready to earn a role. I love being around Pop. He’s got great energy and he’s got a lot of respect from everybody around here.”
Douglas, 24, stands as the next starting slot in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ decorated catalog. The 5-foot-8, 192-pound Liberty product has caught 115 passes for 1,118 yards and three touchdowns dating back to his arrival in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Across all 17 games last season, he led the wideout depth chart in targets and receiving yards while tying for the team lead in yards and scores through the air.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the 2025 offseason award winners also include left guard Cole Strange, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and outside linebacker Truman Jones.
Strange, 26, was activated off the physically unable to perform list in December and saw his fifth-year option declined in May. In between those transactions, he appeared in his first games since sustaining a torn patellar tendon late in the 2023 campaign. The former Chattanooga standout has started 29 of his 30 contests for New England’s interior line since going No. 29 overall in the 2022 class. His tenure spans 1,666 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams.
Tonga, 29, signed a one-year contract as NFL free agency opened in March. A veteran of 53 games, the nose tackle by way of BYU made previous stops with the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. Taken No. 250 overall in the 2021 draft, Tonga has gone on to record 89 tackles, one fumble recovery, four batted passes and a half-sack in his career.
Jones, 25, joined New England’s practice squad in December and was promoted to the 53-man roster on the eve of the season finale. The NFL debut brought two tackles for the 148th captain in Harvard football history. Undrafted in 2023, Jones earned a Super Bowl LVIII ring during his rookie year while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad.
The Patriots announced 13 offseason award winners last year.
