Latest news with #MackHollins
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Proposed Trade Lands Buffalo Bills Dynamic Receiver to Pair With Josh Allen
Proposed Trade Lands Buffalo Bills Dynamic Receiver to Pair With Josh Allen originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills are entering 2025 without a true No. 1 receiver. It will be the second-straight season the Bills open the season without a 1,000-yard threat on the roster. Advertisement Khalil Shakir could have another uptick in production out of the slot. Shakir had a career-high 821 yards last season, but Buffalo doesn't have a high-end option on the outside, and Shakir isn't a massive red zone threat, with just seven career touchdowns. Josh Allen's favorite red zone target from last year, Mack Hollins, signed with the Bills' AFC East rival New England Patriots. Buffalo's biggest receiver add; Josh Palmer; had just one touchdown last season, and has just 10 career touchdowns in four NFL seasons. Jameson Williams has been involved in trade rumors dating back to last season, and while the Detroit Lions may be inclined to hold on to their former first-rounder after a 15-2 season, anything can happen in the NFL, and the Lions may listen to offers to avoid paying their young star. Last Word on Sports' Anthony Palacios believes the Bills should try to strike a deal for Williams, adding some speed on the outside. Advertisement "The Bills still need another wide receiver to bolster the unit behind Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman." Palacios wrote. "Williams could justify being a long-term playmaker after losing Mack Hollins this offseason and could perform at greater heights behind one of the best arms [Allen]." It took Williams a little while to get going, but the former Alabama star finally had his long-awaited breakout season in 2024, hauling in 58 catches for 1,0001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. Williams functioned as Detroit's' go-to deep threat last season, and paired with Amon-Ra St. Brown formed one of the NFL's most fearsome receiving duos. With all the talent the Lions had amongst their skill positions, Williams was only third in catches amongst the Lions' offense. In Buffalo, he'd be the go-to guy for Josh Allen. Pairing Allen's cannon of an arm with a 1,000-yard receiver who averaged 17.3 yards-per-reception last season is a formula that could turn out incredible numbers for Williams. Advertisement Related: Bills' QB Remains Boogeyman For AFC East Rivals Related: Tre'Davious White Thrilled To Be Back With Bills This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young Patriots pass catcher wants to be next 1,000-yard receiver
FOXBOROUGH – Kayshon Boutte was happy last season. In 2023, the sixth-round pick barely hung on. The former star recruit at LSU appeared in five games as a rookie and finished with two catches for 19 yards. He entered the last offseason on the roster bubble. Advertisement Not only did Boutte make the Patriots 53-man roster but he played more offensive snaps than any wide receiver in New England. After a quiet rookie campaign, Boutte played well, finishing with 43 receptions, 589 yards and three touchdowns. He said that performance gave him momentum this offseason. After showing that he belonged in the NFL, Boutte knows he needs to show more this offseason amidst a competitive Patriots receiver depth chart. 'Just being on the field, you get more momentum, more confidence. Just getting a feel for how everything goes, that's just as much motivation as you need for next season,' Boutte said. 'Made a couple plays last year, but it's always the goal to make more plays as the year goes on the next year and the next year.' This year, the competition at wide receiver is different in New England. Even after having a solid season in 2024, Boutte's spot isn't safe. Advertisement The Patriots added two veteran receivers, Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, in free agency. They drafted another, Kyle Wiliams, in the third round. Those three players, if healthy, are considered roster locks. BETTING: The Patriots are +170 to make the playoffs over on bet365. If you're new to sports betting and want to learn more, make sure to check out our Massachusetts beginner's guide. For all of the best Patriots futures bets, take a look at our in-depth expert analysis. The Patriots also have last year's second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk, veteran Kendrick Bourne, and last year's leading receiver DeMario Douglas. There's also last year's fourth-round pick Javon Baker, John Jiles, and undrafted free agents Efton Chism III, Jeremiah Webb, and DeMeer Blankumsee. Through the first two weeks of OTAs, Boutte is receiving good reps with Drake Maye, but still searching for his first catch in competitive 11-on-11 drills. After practice, Boutte said he has a goal of becoming a 1,000-yard receiver. Before that happens, he understands he needs to make the most out of every practice and build off what he did last season. Advertisement 'Feel like (I made) a couple plays, finished 589 yards, three touchdowns,' Boutte said. 'You know, everybody got goals of being 1,000-yard receivers and stuff like that, but it starts with days like this. Just working with the team, getting on the same path as Drake. As long as we're on the same page, everything will take care of itself.' More Patriots Content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colin Cowherd not backing down from bold Patriots prediction
Count Colin Cowherd as a big believer in the New England Patriots. The FOX Sports analyst originally predicted the Patriots would be one of the surprise teams with a winning record in 2025. He refuses to back down from that prediction, and he even doubled down on it in a recent episode of "The Herd." Advertisement 'Patriots, I've said this, they will be the Washington of the NFL,' Cowherd said. 'I predicted Washington and Denver would be the most improved teams. I'm predicting the Patriots will be the most improved team. Drake Maye actually has a coach, and they've made major upgrades O- and D-lines.' The Patriots have seemingly transformed their roster with major upgrades on both sides of the ball in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. They've added standout defenders, like Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III and Robert Spillane. On the offensive side of the ball, they added key new weapons with Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, along with rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams. They've also boosted the offensive line with rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, along with veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury. Advertisement Couple the many roster moves with one of the easiest schedules in the league, and it's clear why Cowherd is so confident about his prediction. Winning the AFC East division will be tough with the Buffalo Bills still at the top, but the Patriots could make things competitive enough to contend or even earn a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Colin Cowherd not backing down from bold Patriots prediction
CBS News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
New Patriots receiver Mack Hollins explains why he likes to go barefoot
When you see Mack Hollins out and about in Foxboro or warming up for the New England Patriots, there's a good chance your attention will go right to his feet. Not because he'll be wearing some fancy kicks, but because Hollins probably won't be wearing any shoes at all. The 31-year-old receiver, who signed a two-year deal worth $8.4 million with New England earlier this week, is a big fan of going barefoot. He started kicking off his sneakers when he trained and warmed up ahead of games shortly after he got into the NFL, but he decided to let his feet breath as much as possible a few years ago. Fittingly, Hollins was barefoot when took the podium for his introductory press conference inside Gillette Stadium on Friday. Welcome, Mack Hollins. 🦶🦶 — Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 14, 2025 Why does Mack Hollins go barefoot? Hollins obviously wears cleats come gametime, but believes there are lots of benefits to ditching the sneakers when he's training or just walking around. With his ten piglets exposed inside Gillette Stadium, he explained that this way of life started early in his career when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He believes going barefoot benefits his health and durability on the field. "It started six or seven years ago. I guess it started when I was a little kid, but restarted about 6-7 years ago," Hollins explained. "I met some trainers called Melbourne Muscular Therapy in Australia. I flew them from Australia to Philly. They showed up and the way you look at me is the way I was looking at them. They were walking around Philly barefoot. I thought they might have sent the wrong guys out here. "But that was their philosophy, being barefoot and getting back to your original ways of movement. That grew into me training barefoot all the time for two or three years," he continued. "Then probably in the last two or three years, I got [into the mindset of] what's the point? "One less thing to pack," Hollins added. "Now the bag is under 50 pounds and I'm saving money. It all comes together." It's much easier to rock the barefoot look in places like Miami and Las Vegas than it is in Buffalo, where Hollins spent his 2024 season. But even then, he was mostly barefoot despite the frigid temps in western New York. "The cold is – I live in south Florida in the offseason. I think you can only get so used to the cold. Below 35, I'll put some shoes on," Hollins admitted. "I'm barefoot, but I'm not a dummy." Hollins arrived in New England during a bit of a warm spell, though hopefully he has something to cover up after the sun goes down and the temperature flirts with the freezing mark. But he's broken that rule for big games before, as he did last season for the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Though when Hollins arrived for the AFC title bout at Arrowhead Stadium, the attention wasn't just on his bare feet. Mack Hollins came through as Animal from The Muppets 😂 @mackhollins 📺: #BUFvsKC -- 6:30pm ET on CBS 📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ — NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2025 Yeah, this man is not afraid to channel his inner-animal. On Friday, he was sporting a "Free the Feet" sweatshirt, which he also dons during his pre-game warmups. Mack Hollins already has a relationship with Drake Maye Hollins said he'll wear the No. 13 in New England, which was his number during his college days at North Carolina. As a seven-year vet in the NFL, he obviously didn't cross paths with Drake Maye, but Hollins is still plenty familiar with the second-year quarterback and his family. Hollins overlapped with Maye's older brother, Luke, and the two became friends during their time at Chapel Hill. He met the entire Maye clan while at UNC, and is eager to get to work with Drake in New England. "I know he made a good decision on colleges. Tar Heel guys are just a little bit better," Hollins said with a smile Friday. "Their family is great. I think that's important at any position, but especially quarterback because I think there's so much on the shoulders of quarterbacks, especially in today's game. "He was raised well, but then he's a fierce competitor. Just from watching him and playing against him, I know that," Hollins said of his new QB. "I know that and I'm excited to get opportunities to play with him and catch the ball." Hollins caught passes from Buffalo's Josh Allen last season, hauling in 31 receptions for 378 yards and a career-high five touchdowns from the NFL's MVP. Allen is a master at improvisation before firing off a deep pass, something we saw glimpses of from Maye during his rookie season. Hollins believes what he learned from his lone season with the Bills will help him when he goes out to catch passes from Maye this season. "I think one thing I learned playing with Josh is you got to have some good conditioning, because the play is not over," he said. "And being able to see that in Drake's game is great. Just carry it over and always be available, because you never know what Drake might spin out of, duck under, jump over, and you got to be there, because there's nothing worse as a player -- and this is little league when I used to do it when I was a quarterback -- you come out of a cool move in the backfield and you look and your receivers are already walking thinking you got tackled." Hollins said he likes to push his teammates, though he's learned not to push them too far. He should bring a good attitude into a young receivers room in New England, and it sounds like he'll form quite the connection with Maye on the field. Time will tell if he can get his quarterback and fellow receivers to start rocking the barefoot look as well.
New York Times
12-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
New England Patriots 2025 free agency tracker: Pats land big fish in DT Milton Williams
Follow every signing and trade with The Athletic's live coverage of 2025 NFL free agency For the second time in as many years, the New England Patriots entered free agency with more cap space than anyone in the NFL and a roster badly in need of a talent boost. We'll use this page to track free agency from the Patriots' perspective, a way to look at the moves they make (and don't make) and provide updates as their top free-agent targets make their decisions. Bookmark this page and keep coming back to stay up to date on everything that happens with the Patriots in free agency. Advertisement CB Carlton Davis (free agent): Three-year, $60 million deal QB Joshua Dobbs (free agent): Two-year, $8 million deal ($3.8 million fully guaranteed) WR Mack Hollins (free agent): Two-year, $8.4 million deal (max value of $10.4 million) TE Austin Hooper (re-signed): One-year, $5 million deal ($4 million guaranteed; max value of $7 million) Edge Harold Landry (free agent): Three-year, $43.5 million deal ($26 million fully guaranteed; max value of $48 million) OT Morgan Moses (free agent): Three-year, $24 million deal (max value of $28.5 million) LB Robert Spillane (free agent): Three-year, $37 million deal DL Khyiris Tonga (free agent): One-year, $2.7 million deal DL Milton Williams (free agent): Four-year, $104 million deal ($51 million fully guaranteed) 5:50 p.m. ET: One of the last remaining players with ties to the Patriots' last Super Bowl is headed elsewhere. After a decorated nine-year tenure in New England, cornerback Jonathan Jones is headed to the on-the-rise Commanders via a one-year contract. Jones came to the Patriots as an undrafted free agent but grew into a big role and became one of the team's most valued leaders, winning two Super Bowls. Now only three players remain under contract from the Patriots' last Super Bowl: center David Andrews, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley and long snapper Joe Cardona. 7:08 p.m. ET: This isn't the big move we've been waiting for at receiver, but the Patriots added their first wide receiver of the offseason by agreeing to a two-year deal with veteran Mack Hollins, according to a league source. The 31-year-old has only eclipsed 400 receiving yards once in his seven-year NFL career, but it was while playing for Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas in 2022. Now he rejoins McDaniels in New England, where he'll hope to provide depth as an outside receiver. Hollins is a big-bodied (6-foot-4) receiver who brings a different style than what the Pats currently have at the position. Hollins caught 31 of 50 targets with the Buffalo Bills last season, turning those catches into 378 yards and five touchdowns. GO DEEPER At long last, the Patriots made some big-time moves to kick off free agency 5:40 p.m. ET: In a move that could signal a potential trade before the season begins, the Patriots agreed to a two-year deal with quarterback Josh Dobbs on Monday, per his agent Mike McCartney. Dobbs is a journeyman quarterback who made 13 starts in 2023 (split between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings) and one last season with the San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement More interesting is what it could mean for Joe Milton. With a veteran backup now behind Drake Maye, the Patriots are in a better position to trade Milton, the big-armed 25-year-old who won his lone start as a rookie in Week 18 last season. A trade may make more sense in August if Milton plays well in the preseason or another team suffers a quarterback injury. 5:16 p.m. ET: The Pats added to their defensive line depth, agreeing to a deal with Khyiris Tonga. He's been a backup over a four-year career with three different teams but is a serviceable rotational player with some pass-rush upside. This draft class is deep at defensive tackle, and this modest agreement doesn't rule out the Patriots picking an interior defensive lineman in the draft. 2:13 p.m. ET: The Patriots did it. Defensive tackle Milton Williams, the top free agent to actually reach free agency, has agreed to a massive deal with the Patriots. Williams was a major disrupter in the middle of the defensive line for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles and comes to New England to improve the pass rush (the Pats ranked last in the NFL in sacks a year ago). It's part of the Patriots' continued push to improve defensively after already agreeing to deals with cornerback Carlton Davis, outside linebacker Harold Landry and inside linebacker Robert Spillane. The Pats still have work to do — namely at left tackle and wide receiver — but this is a massive get. — Milton Williams (@miltonw_12) March 10, 2025 1:35 p.m. ET: The Patriots have their new right tackle. After their by-committee approach with a number of options last year failed, the Patriots are turning to an established veteran. They agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $24 million with 34-year-old Morgan Moses. Moses has pretty much been a right tackle his whole career, so pencil him in as the Patriots' starter there while last year's third-round pick, Caedan Wallace, develops. Advertisement Now the Patriots need a left tackle to protect Drake Maye's blind side. 1:10 p.m. ET: The defensive focus continues for the Patriots, who agreed with cornerback Carlton Davis to a three-year deal worth $20 million per season. All three of the players the Patriots have added so far have been on defense. Davis will slot in as the team's No. 2 cornerback and should give the Patriots good options in the secondary opposite rising star Christian Gonzalez, along with Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger on the back end. GO DEEPER Cornerback Carlton Davis agrees to 3-year deal with Patriots: Sources 12:45 p.m. ET: The Patriots' first agreement of the negotiating window came as they continue to build up their linebacker group. After signing former Titan Harold Landry on Sunday night, New England reached an agreement with Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane, according to a league source, who was No. 39 in our ranking of the top free agents. Spillane started his NFL career in 2018 playing for the Titans under Vrabel. He was then mostly a downhill run stuffer. But he then went to the Steelers for four years before breaking out with the Raiders the last two seasons, where he improved in coverage and became one of the most important members of their defense. The deal is reportedly worth $37 million over three years. GO DEEPER Patriots, LB Robert Spillane agree to terms on reported 3-year, $37.5 million deal 12:22 p.m. ET: Another Patriots target is headed elsewhere. As Vrabel and company look to bolster the roster through the trenches, they expressed interest in Drew Dalman, the top center on the market. But Dalman is headed to the Chicago Bears as the latest part of their reworked offensive line under first-year coach Ben Johnson. The Pats, meanwhile, continue to search for answers. The fact that they were interested in the top center available tells you they're not positive that David Andrews will be the starter come Week 1. 12:15 p.m. ET: The first big blow to the Patriots arrived a few minutes after the negotiating window opened when Chris Godwin, the top wide receiver on the market, agreed to a $22 million per year contract to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Advertisement The Patriots entered this offseason with the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL. Now an already weak crop of free-agent receivers is without Godwin, Tee Higgins and DK Metcalf, who went to the Steelers in a trade on Sunday. So what do the Patriots do? This is a weak draft class for receivers, too, and there aren't many great options left in free agency. So the Pats might have to be content with getting only minor improvements for Drake Maye. Noon ET: It's go time. Teams are now allowed to negotiate contracts with pending free agents. Remember, deals can't be signed until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, so nothing is finalized until then, and players can change their minds and back out of verbal agreements before signing. But it's go time nonetheless. Expect the first few dominos to be the top free agents at each position. For the Patriots, that likely means early talks with wide receiver Chris Godwin, defensive tackle Milton Williams, center Drew Dalman and left tackle Cam Robinson. 11 a.m. ET: Two free agents I expect the Patriots to pursue are edge rusher Za'Darius Smith and cornerback Carlton Davis. Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was the Lions' defensive line coach last season — where both Smith and Davis played. Early signs are that the Patriots will be interested in the two. 10:30 a.m. ET: Here's the biggest dilemma for the Patriots: Their biggest position of need will not be easily fixed in free agency or the draft. No spot is more important for them than left tackle. But with Ronnie Stanley re-signing with the Ravens, there's no obvious answer for the Patriots. The two best free agents have flaws. Cam Robinson is arguably the top free agent at the position, and he allowed the second-most pressures of any offensive lineman in the NFL last season, according to TruMedia. Dan Moore Jr. is the other top left tackle free agent, and while he was fine last season, he had the worst pass-blocking grade in the NFL by Pro Football Focus' metrics in 2023. Advertisement Perhaps then you'd turn to the draft, but the top offensive lineman you'd consider at No. 4 is Will Campbell, whose short arm length and wingspan would make him an outlier if he becomes a successful offensive tackle in the NFL. A move inside to guard is certainly possible. So which of those options do they pick? 9:25 a.m. ET: This weekend, I spoke with three agents who represent free agents-to-be at positions of need for the Patriots. And here's the unfortunate reality for the Pats, briefly summarizing three similar conversations: Even with Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, the Patriots aren't a popular destination for the players those agents represent. Put most simply, not a lot of guys want to go to a rebuilding team in a cold-weather market with high taxes that plays its games an hour outside the city and annually gets poor grades in the NFLPA survey. Can the Pats get around that? All of the agents said yes. It'll just take a meaningfully bigger contract than another team offers. 9 a.m. ET: Just before the negotiating window opens for free agents, the Patriots found a trade partner for veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, sending him to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Godchaux didn't feel like a good fit for Vrabel's new defensive scheme, so he sought and received permission to look for a trade. The move wasn't really about cap savings (the Pats will get around $1.6 million there) but rather a new regime taking over and finding guys that fit what they're looking for. Still, the trade underscores the Patriots' massive need on the defensive line. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore is their highest-paid player (and their only player making more than $20 million per season), but his status for the season is unclear as he recovers from blood clots. Keion White is the only defensive lineman on the roster the Patriots can safely pencil in for next season. Advertisement That's why the Patriots are expected to be active in seeking defensive line help, likely starting by trying to land Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. 8 a.m. ET: It wasn't a great weekend for the Patriots. An already weak group of free agents got even less interesting when some of the top free-agent options re-signed with their teams. Off the board went left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was expected to be the Patriots' top target but chose instead to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, four of the top eight free-agent linebackers, per The Athletic's free-agent rankings, re-signed with their teams. And the price for pass rushers seemingly went up after new contracts for Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett, both record-setting deals for the position. With the salary cap increasing more than expected and a weak free agency class about to hit the market, it's probably going to lead to some inflated contracts that seem like overpays. Decision time looms for the Patriots. Do they say, 'We don't care that this isn't a great class. We've got money to spend and a bad roster, so let's go wild trying to improve the team even if a lot of these deals may not age well'? Or do they try to avoid overpaying even if that means another season with a bad roster, while instead trying to build through the draft? The night before the free-agency negotiating window opened, the Patriots got a jump on filling two of their biggest needs. They made their first splash of the Vrabel era by reuniting the head coach with a linebacker who shined under him as a pass rusher but didn't match that success last season with the Tennessee Titans. The Pats signed Harold Landry to a three-year, $43.5 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, according to a league source, a move to bolster their pass rush. Landry notched 12 sacks in 2021 and 10.5 in 2023 while playing for Vrabel. He can be a do-it-all linebacker, but his specialty is getting after the passer. Last season, the Patriots ranked last in the NFL in sacks. Advertisement The Patriots also re-signed tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal, which means tight end is no longer such a major position of need. The Pats have Hunter Henry as their top option at the position with Hooper behind him. Both were trusted receivers for Drake Maye a year ago. (Photo of Milton Williams: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
