Latest news with #Mack Hollins
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mack Hollins Seems To Be a Roster Lock Following Preseason Opener
With the offseason program, most of training camp, and the first preseason game now behind us, we have a good idea of who's going to be on the Patriots' final roster. Of course, some spots are still subject to change, but most of the starting spots and key reserves we know. One of the most interesting position groups to watch this offseason has been the wide receivers. The team had probably the weakest receiver room in the league last year, but that couldn't be further from the truth now. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins were brought in as free agents, while Kyle Williams was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That trio joins DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker, Ja'Lynn Polk, and others. Hollins is an intriguing addition. The receiver has never put up elite numbers, and has played mostly backup roles for five different NFL teams. The Patriots only gave the veteran a two-year deal worth around $8 million, and the small deal combined with Hollins' lack of historical production would theoretically make Hollins far from a sure thing to make the team. Instead, though, after the preseason opener, it now seems like Hollins is indeed in the teams' plans for 2025. Why is that, you may ask? Well, Hollins was the lone receiver in the starting lineup for the Patriots against the Commanders. Hollins didn't receive any targets and only stayed on the field for 12 snaps before leaving with most of the other starters. Notably, Stefon Diggs was held out of the game due to a nagging knee injury. Still, even without Diggs, it's surprising that a veteran journeyman like Hollins received the start over a camp standout like Kayshon Boutte or the rookie Williams. It's clear that Hollins has the trust of Mike Vrabel. Earlier this offseason, Hollins dealt with an injury and missed the first part of training camp. The coach praised Hollins upon his return, though. 'Spent a lot of time here in the offseason, locked in, engaged,' Vrabel said. 'Rare for a player to be able to get that much information and not practice. That's hard. That's hard just even thinking back when I was in those opportunities to be able to do that and still understand the details and not practicing. So, locked in, ready to go, excited to see him get out there and practice.' It's probably fair to say at this point that Hollins is a roster lock. He's an experienced veteran who holds his own as a blocker and is a great locker room presence. Diggs, Hollins, Williams, and Douglas are likely locks at the position, while Boutte is probably closing in on lock status in his own right. Related Headlines Patriots release Super Bowl champion, add DII standout Odell Beckham Jr. Retires From NFL: Is He the Greatest 'What If' Story in Giants History? Mike Vrabel Could Start One Rookie Sooner than We Thought
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Latest 53-man roster projection for Patriots has team keeping seven wide receivers
If you had to name the most disappointing position group on the Patriots last year, it would be easy to pick the wide receivers. The team picked Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and grabbed Javon Baker in the fourth round. However, neither player contributed as a rookie and the duo combined for just 13 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. DeMario Douglas ended up leading all wide receivers in catches and yards with 66 for 621. This offseason, the team invested heavily to improve the position. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins were added in free agency, while Kyle Williams was drafted in the third round of the 2025 draft. As a result, what was once a weakness may now be the team's deepest position group. One can assume that Diggs, Hollins, Douglas, and Williams are safe. Considering most teams keep six receivers, that means Polk, Baker, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, and Efton Chism III, among others, could be competing for just two spots. Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe, however, believes the Patriots will be forced to keep seven receivers on the final roster. In Yang's updated final roster prediction, Boutte, Baker, and Polk all make it, while Bourne and Chism are left out. Regarding this deep group, Yang offered the following: If the Patriots only want to keep five receivers, the group will be Diggs, Douglas, Boutte, Hollins, and Williams. If the team wants to keep six, Baker right now could have the edge over Polk because of his upward trajectory during practice. The Patriots could elect to keep seven, though, making room for both 2024 draft picks and giving them one last opportunity to bounce back under a new coaching staff. The preseason games could strongly influence this decision. As Yang mentioned, if the team only keeps five, it seems like Boutte will get the final spot after his solid summer. If six are kept, Baker likely has the edge over Polk. However, keeping all seven could be intriguing due to the potential upside and youth of the group. Either way, it seems like the veteran Bourne is in serious jeopardy of making the team. Bourne has been with the Patriots since 2021, but he may be redundant now with Douglas and Williams having much better summers. Related Headlines Mets fans weigh-in on bold idea of Carlos Beltran returning to be new hitting coach PETA Claims Kraken Promoted Fish Killing in Video Where Mascot Nearly Attacked by Bear Former Patriots starting center David Andrews makes stance clear on potential NFL comeback Will Patriots play starters in preseason opener? Mike Vrabel answers
