The Patriots made great strides this offseason, making upgrades all over the field. Some measured high on the NFL Richter scale; others were less than eye-catching. When you're out there trying to improve, there are a lot of ways to do so.
One area that commanded attention was the less-than-spectacular wide receiving corps. 2024's top receiver, Pop Douglas, reeled in only 66 passes for 621 yards and three touchdowns. If that's the top of the pile, you're not winning many NFL games. So Mike Vrabel set out to improve the quality.
Vrabel signed receiver Stefon Diggs, a Patriots tormentor while in Buffalo. He's recovering from an injury, but when he's healthy, he'll go to the top of the list of Patriots receivers. He also drafted the electric Kyle Williams and signed the terrific undrafted free agent, Efton Chism III. All are upgrades. Vrabel also added a less heralded receiver who will surprise. It's Mack Hollins.
Mack Hollins is a sneaky good playmaker for Drake Maye's offense
Stealing a good player from a division rival is always a good thing. Stealing one from the Division champs is even better. Enter Mack Hollins, former clutch receiver for the Buffalo Bills. Hollins isn't a household name, but he's a sneaky-good Patriots' addition. A nine-year veteran, he's played on several teams, most recently the Division leaders, the Buffalo Bills.
Hollins' new teammate, Kendrick Bourne, already had some nice things to say about him. Pats Pulpit's Bernd Buchmasser cited Bourne's comments about his new teammate,
“'Mack Hollins, he’s very competitive,' Bourne said. 'He is awesome, man. Just being around him, that energy is just special. I’ve never been around somebody like him. In the weight room, pushing us — everything he said in his press conferences. I watched him, he’s standing on that. I love that.'"
Hollins' 2024 stats seem ordinary, with only 31 catches for 378 yards. But to see his value, it's necessary to look deeper to see that this under-the-radar receiver has much more to offer than first meets the eye. He's deceptively effective and helped the Bills' drive to the Division title in 2024.
Brian Letscher of Sports Illustrated commented on Hollin's leaving Buffalo in an article. Here's part of what he had to say,
"In his one season with the Buffalo Bills, Mack Hollins became known for his wild pre-game outfits and strange habits such as not eating vegetables and eschewing shoes whenever possible.
That is why Bills Mafia embraced Hollins, who quickly became a fan favorite in Buffalo. Bills Mafia, media and, most importantly, his teammates showed appreciation for his presence. Plus, he really good at playing football, which is why the New England Patriots snapped up him up as soon as they could, signing Hollins to a two year deal deal on Monday, worth a potential $10.4 million."
Letscher also cited Hollins's best season under Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas in 2022. It's evident that McDaniels significantly influenced Vrabel's signing of this underrated free agent playmaker to help refashion the Patriots' lackluster receiver room.
Mack Hollins will be a value-added 2025 asset to Drake Maye
Being well-known to his Offensive Coordinator, McDaniels, bringing Hollins aboard makes a lot of sense. McDaniels will be creating the offense and knows exactly how to use this big target to assist Drake Maye, who had far too few open targets in 2024.
Hollins enters the receiver room as its biggest and brawniest member. The 6'4", 221-pound receiver is bigger than any other available to Maye. That alone will bring benefits. But it's how Hollins uses his size that's even more advantageous. Hollins is a big guy who makes big plays.
While his 2024 stats aren't overwhelming, digging deeper reveals startling information. Hollins snagged only 31 catches in 2024. Yet, he made them count, big time. Of his 31 catches, five went for touchdowns. That would have led all 2024 Patriots receivers. In addition. 25 of those 31 catches went for first downs.
McDaniels knew Hollins would be a terrific addition to the Patriots and must have implored Vrabel to pick up his option in free agency. Astutely, the new Head Coach listened. The team will reap the rewards for the next two years.
Even at 31 years old, Hollins is an uber-playmaker, an attribute the Patriots sorely lacked in 2024. Added to Diggs, Douglas, and rookies Williams and Chism, the Patriots have the makings of a terrific receiving corps in 2025. Pencil in Hollins for 50 catches, 500 yards, and seven touchdowns. Those will be solid numbers for the Patriots' third receiver when they enter the playoffs.