Among recent signings of noteworthy value, New England's addition of Romeo Doubs seems to qualify. They're paying him $20 million a year, which seems kind of insane, but it's not my money.
Last year, New England had the 17th-best wideout in PPR leagues in Stefon Diggs, who caught 85 passes as their No. 1. Diggs has since been released, most likely due to his pending legal situation (charged with felony strangulation, a hearing scheduled for next month), but there are other negatives: 32 years old, and maybe just nobody likes the guy very much.
They've been connected with A.J. Brown, but are reportedly unwilling to meet the Eagles' asking price (reportedly a first-round pick and more). Signing Doubs doesn't preclude them from also adding Brown, but paying the former Packer $80 million at least suggests they won't also be adding Brown.
Doubs seems like he's been around forever, but he's only 25 years old. The way the Packers use their wide receivers, he's never put up big numbers: no 60-catch seasons, and none with even 750 yards. Why is he making $20 million again?
About the only noteworthy stat I can dig up on him is that he seems to drop a lot of passes.
Over the last three years, Doubs has caught 160 balls, while dropping 16. That's kind of a lot; in fact, it's 4th-worst among all wide receivers with at least 150 catches. Brown, who's a lot better, is 5th-best.
| WIDE RECEIVER DROPS, 2023-2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | Drops | Pct |
| Jerry Jeudy, Cle. | 194 | 25 | 11.4% |
| Courtland Sutton, Den. | 214 | 23 | 9.7% |
| Calvin Ridley, Ten. | 157 | 16 | 9.2% |
| Romeo Doubs, G.B. | 160 | 16 | 9.1% |
| Rashee Rice, K.C. | 156 | 14 | 8.2% |
| DK Metcalf, Pitt. | 191 | 16 | 7.7% |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 194 | 16 | 7.6% |
| Davante Adams, LAR | 248 | 19 | 7.1% |
| Deebo Samuel, Was. | 183 | 14 | 7.1% |
| Tyler Lockett, 2 tms | 160 | 12 | 7.0% |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 232 | 17 | 6.8% |
| Zay Flowers, Bal. | 237 | 17 | 6.7% |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 183 | 13 | 6.6% |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea. | 282 | 20 | 6.6% |
| Josh Downs, Ind. | 198 | 14 | 6.6% |
| Adam Thielen, 2 tms | 170 | 12 | 6.6% |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 174 | 12 | 6.5% |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 311 | 21 | 6.3% |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 259 | 17 | 6.2% |
| Tyreek Hill, Mia. | 221 | 14 | 6.0% |
| Jordan Addison, Min. | 175 | 11 | 5.9% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 351 | 22 | 5.9% |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 219 | 13 | 5.6% |
| Stefon Diggs, N.E. | 239 | 14 | 5.5% |
| Puka Nacua, LAR | 313 | 18 | 5.4% |
| George Pickens, Dall. | 215 | 12 | 5.3% |
| Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG | 245 | 13 | 5.0% |
| Jauan Jennings, S.F. | 151 | 8 | 5.0% |
| Cooper Kupp, Sea. | 173 | 9 | 4.9% |
| Ja'Marr Chase, Cin. | 352 | 18 | 4.9% |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 199 | 10 | 4.8% |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 166 | 8 | 4.6% |
| DeVonta Smith, Phi. | 226 | 10 | 4.2% |
| Drake London, Atl. | 237 | 10 | 4.0% |
| DJ Moore, Chi. | 244 | 10 | 3.9% |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Bal. | 153 | 6 | 3.8% |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 258 | 10 | 3.7% |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 255 | 9 | 3.4% |
| A.J. Brown, Phi. | 251 | 8 | 3.1% |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 219 | 6 | 2.7% |
| Michael Wilson, Ari. | 163 | 4 | 2.4% |
| Jakobi Meyers, 2 tms | 233 | 5 | 2.1% |
| Khalil Shakir, Buff. | 187 | 4 | 2.1% |
There are some pretty good receivers who show up poorly on this list, so I'll cut Doubs a little slack. Also, the numbers show he comes off one of his better seasons: 3 drops last year, 6-7 in 2023-2024.
But in general, it feels like New England should have maybe tried to make the A.J. Brown deal happen, rather than giving a mint to a guy who's been a good but not great receiver for Green Bay the past four seasons.
--Andy Richardson
