Whether it’s a heavier reliance on the running game, a full unleashing of Efton Chism III, or some other secret weapon hiding up Josh McDaniels’ sleeve, the New England Patriots will need to find some difference-makers on offense this week against the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders.
Mack Hollins, arguably the Patriots’ most important wide receiver outside of A.J. Brown given his all-around skill set as a blocker, missed his second consecutive practice Thursday with a calf injury.
With Hollins trending towards missing Sunday’s home game against the Raiders, and Brown still not eligible to be activated off injured reserve, Drake Maye will be forced to lean on the likes of Romeo Doubs, Hunter Henry, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Chism.
That group came up big in the second half of last week’s huge road win over the Buffalo Bills. But with ample time to prepare, McDaniels could turn to one of the team’s most unheralded rookies for an expanded role against Maxx Crosby and company.
Third-round draft pick Eli Raridon played a season-high 44 snaps against Buffalo, and the 6-foot-7 tight end might be the Patriots’ best option to replace some of what Hollins has been doing for the offense.
Eli Raridon's unique skill set could earn him a much bigger role in Week 5
The Patriots don’t really have another wide receiver that can match Hollins’ size, blocking ability, and sneaky-good receiving skills. When the Patriots are in heavier personnel with one wide receiver on the field, Hollins has been their guy. He’s the team’s most efficient run blocker — including the offensive linemen — by Pro Football Focus’ grading system.
Raridon fits the prototype best as a tight end who’s built more like a big receiver. He quietly lined up wide on five of his 23 pass snaps against the Bills, per PFF. That was his highest outside usage rate of the season.
Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal thinks that could continue if McDaniels and the Patriots trust the rookie with more of those opportunities.
“I think that Eli Raridon needs to be used a lot more,” Bedard said on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Tuesday. “And I do think — I wouldn’t mind seeing him getting some of Mack Hollins’ snaps at receiver, because they’re both big bodies, not the fastest guys, but I think Raridon can do some of what Hollins did.”
Hollins currently leads all Patriots pass catchers with 15 receptions on 20 targets. Raridon has been efficient in his limited opportunities. He's turned his four targets into three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.7 yards per reception. He’s got the same amount of receiving yards on the season as wide receiver Kyle Williams.
Raridon has also battled a thigh injury but is off the injury report this week for the Raiders. That feels like good timing.
Chism has been a willing blocker and will likely get some of Hollins’ snaps in multi-wide sets. But when the Patriots go with heavier personnel, Raridon could be the difference-maker that no one saw coming.
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