The New England Patriots' wide receiver room is one of the team's most competitive positions. Mike Vrabel has made additions to compete with the lackluster group he had when he came on board as Head Coach in January.
The player with the highest upside quickly is former Pro-Bowler Stefon Diggs. If he's ready to go health-wise, he'll be a go-to target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who's set to light the NFL on fire in 2025 if he gets protection and his receiving corps is solid.
Vrabel also added an explosive receiver in the draft in third-round pick, Kyle Williams, and an undrafted free agent, Efton Chism III, a pass-catching machine, who'll both make the team. Returnees include 2024's best, Pop Douglas, who could thrive, Kayshon Boutte, and two disappointing 2024 draft picks, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. And then there's veteran free agent receiver, Mack Hollins.
Mack Hollins is cited as a solid fantasy football pick
Free agent signee Mack Hollins is a big target for Maye at 6'4" and 221 pounds. While relatively unheralded, he's a solid addition by Vrabel as a go-to big veteran target. He's the Pats' biggest receiver, and he uses his size effectively.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton shockingly touted Hollins as the Patriots' top wide receiver pick for fantasy football this season. He makes some excellent points.
"You won't see any headlines touting the (Patriots') move for Hollins, but he should garner more attention as an underrated signing...In 2022, Hollins had his most productive season under Patriots' offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, who was the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach and lead play-caller that year. He hauled in 57 passes for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
With Hollins' late-blooming year in Las Vegas, he could have another surprisingly productive season in an offense that needs a receiver to emerge as Drake Maye's go-to target."
Mack Hollins could surprise and be a key cog in a rejuvenated Patriots offense
Moton's analysis is spot on. Hollins was an underrated signing, but his potential might be far greater than anyone anticipated. He's not only a big target for Maye, but he's also a big playmaker as he amply demonstrated for the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills in 2024.
Hollins only reeled in 31 passes for the Division-winning Bills last season, but he made them count. They went for 378 yards and five touchdowns. That's 16 percent of his catches that went for scores. Additionally, of those 31 catches, a whopping 25 went for first downs. That's almost 97 percent of his catches that were important plays. Not sure anyone else in the NFL can boast those stats.
Moe Moton talks about Hollins from a fantasy football perspective. But Hollins's ability to make big plays has real-world implications for a Patriots offense that couldn't score in 2024. That attribute will complement other significant improvements on the 2025 Patriots' offense.
Mike Vrabel solidified a dreadful offensive line with six or more viable possibilities that will improve that unit in 2025. Maye will have a lot more time to pass. Additionally, Vrabel has added explosiveness where none existed in 2024 with two rookies, running back TreVeyon Henderson and receiver Kyle Williams.
All this and more, including Hollins' presence as a big-target, big-play receiver, lends to a conclusion that any resemblance between the Patriots' 2024 offense and their dynamic 2025 one will be purely accidental. The Patriots are on their way to the 2025 playoffs, and Mack Hollins will be a major part of the improved offense that helps get them there.