Can we get Romeo Doubs a mulligan? The new Patriot had a brutal debut in Seattle on Wednesday night, finishing catch-less on 3 targets. His first look didn't come until the fourth quarter. It was an underthrown 50/50 ball deep downfield that was eventually tipped and picked off by CB Nehemiah Pritchett. A tough play for Doubs, but certainly one that he could have made. It got worse from there. On New England's next possession, Doubs got wide open down the right sideline but looked upfield before securing the ball, dropping what would have converted a 2nd and 14. QB Drake Maye was intercepted on the next play. Doubs was smothered by Pritchett on his third and final target of the night.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Usage Even More Alarming
It gets worse for Doubs' fantasy value: He was a part-time player in the opener, logging 56% of the offensive snaps and a route on 76% of pass plays.
Even those numbers were inflated by the ankle injury that sidelined A.J. Brown for almost the entire second half. In the first half, Doubs registered a 38% snap rate and 63% route rate.
Flummoxing usage for a guy who got a 4-year, $68 million deal from the Patriots in free agency.
Doubs' only potential lifeline here is Brown's injury. If he misses extended time, Doubs will get a chance to redeem himself in what should be something close to a full-time role. But we'll need to see much better play and production before considering him in starting lineups.
Doubs is still worth stashing in most 12-team fantasy leagues, but he's droppable in shallower leagues.
