The New England Patriots' wide receiver room looks very different this season. Stefon Diggs was the marquee signing, Kyle Williams was a top-75 pick, and Kayshon Boutte has taken a massive leap. Pop Douglas has rotated in as a slot option, and while he hasn't made a catch yet this season, the future looks bright for Efton Chism III.
One player whose signing negatively turned some heads was Mack Hollins. While not a top-tier receiver by any means, he was the first signing the Patriots made at the position, and on the second day of free agency.
While handing $5 million a year to a veteran wide out isn't abnormal, the optics at the time admittedly looked rough: the Patriots were handing a near 32-year-old receiver a multi-year deal for what seemingly was the answer to their receiver woes.
If the additions at the position ended at Hollins, the disappointment would have been more than understandable. Aside from his 2022 season with the Raiders, the veteran had eclipsed 400 yards only one time in his eight-season career.
Two weeks after Hollins was signed, Diggs was added, and Williams was later added through the draft. Expectations simmered, and Hollins was slotted as the WR3 to start the year.
Mack Hollins best career games:
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) November 9, 2025
🏈 2022 Week 3 (158 Yards)
🏈 2025 Week 10 (106 Yards)
🏈 2025 Week 8 (89 Yards)
15 catches for 204 yards in his last three games after having 119 yards through the first seven weeks. @mackhollins has been HUGE to the #Patriots success!
Mack Hollins has been an excellent addition for New England's offense this season
Hollins has played at least 50% of offensive snaps in all but one game this year, and especially in Boutte's absence, has stepped up as a deep threat in a major way.
He's an excellent blocker on top of having the ability to stretch the field, and his ability as an intermediate threat has also become more apparent as time's gone on.
31st catch of the year for Mack Hollins. Ties his season total from last year.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 23, 2025
On Sunday against the Bengals, Hollins tied and then surpassed his 2024 catch stat line of 31, having two grabs for 30 yards in the game. Looking back to his 2022 career year under Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, he is 25 catches, 273 yards, and two touchdowns away from tying his career best with five games to go. It would take consistency, but not a Herculean effort from the journeyman to pull it off.
In the last five games, the Patriots will face the Giants, Bills, Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins. The Giants allow the 10th most pass yards per game, and Baltimore allows the ninth most. He recently had a 64-yard game against the Jets, and his first touchdown as a Patriot came against the Dolphins. Haters owe Hollins a major apology.
At the moment, an extension seems a bit overzealous for Hollins. He will be 33 when his contract is over, and bringing him back then will depend on his 2026 production. While he clearly has chemistry with Maye and has been a valuable piece to what New England wants to do, adding more years to the contract of a 32-year-old WR3 doesn't seem wise.
A lack of extension doesn't discount what he's done at all, and he's the gold standard for finding a way in the NFL. Hollins has been a great addition to this team.