FOXBORO — It’s no coincidence that the Patriots’ sudden improvement on offense has coincided with DeMario Douglas’ return to team drills.

Douglas, still donning a red non-contact jersey but participating in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills in full pads, looked like a game-changer in practice Friday.

The second-year pro caught a team-high five passes on six targets during competitive team drills. He returned to team drills on Thursday but looked in prime form Friday, threatening the Patriots defense from all levels of the field.

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He caught a pass on a short out route from rookie QB Drake Maye early in 11-on-11s. He then ran downfield on a seam route and caught a touch pass from current starter Jacoby Brissett during 7-on-7s. Douglas’ only target that hit the ground came on an overthrow from Brissett during 11-on-11s. The two players then immediately connected on a crossing route.

Two of Douglas’ best two plays came during Brissett’s last 11-on-11 period. The veteran quarterback hit Douglas on a deep out route against cornerback Shaun Wade. Then the 2023 sixth-round pick ran another seam route for a touchdown to cap off a two-minute drill led by Brissett.

The Patriots’ offense struggled against its defense early in training camp. If anything, the offense won the day during Friday’s practice in large part because of Douglas’ efforts.

“Ah man, it’s been great,” Brissett said Friday of having “Pop” Douglas back on the field. “Obviously, I have to learn how to throw to a little shorter guy a little bit more, but his explosiveness, what he can do in stretching the field is a weapon for us. And building that chemistry, and he’s a guy that loves football. You can tell. He pops off on tape, no pun intended. It’s a lot of fun having him in the huddle. His energy is contagious.

“He definitely took a couple chunks out of the defense today. It’s all going to be predicated on how the game goes and obviously the defense and things like that. He has the ability to stretch the field. We’re trying to get as much out of every player that we can this year.”

The Patriots have bigger receivers who can line up in the slot like Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Douglas brings another element to the position.

“He’s a different guy. Quick, twitchy route runner, excellent with the ball in his hands,” safety Jabrill Peppers said. “He definitely helps when he’s out on the field.”

Douglas is a slot receiver in the mold of Troy Brown or Wes Welker. He was the Patriots’ best receiver last season, catching 49 passes for 561 yards in 14 games while missing time with concussions and an early-season benching for fumbling.

The Patriots knew what they had in Douglas almost immediately last season, giving him first-team reps in training camp as a rookie. He was limited early in training camp this summer and continues to wear the red jersey because of a hand injury.

As long as Douglas stays healthy, he should be the team’s top slot receiver this season.