Linked to Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin during this year’s free agency period, the Patriots have yet to make their impact wide receiver splash. But they are adding a depth piece to that mix.
Mack Hollins is coming aboard on a two-year deal, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. Hollins’ $8.4MM agreement will reunite him with three-time Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, who had signed him while in charge in Las Vegas.
Perhaps known as much for his shoe skepticism as his on-field work, Hollins has managed to remain a valuable role player for a few teams. The eight-year veteran is coming off a season as a tertiary target in Buffalo but one that managed a regular snap share despite the team giving Curtis Samuel an $8MM-per-year deal and trading for Amari Cooper midseason.
Hollins, 31, logged a 66% snap share with the Bills last season; that beat out Cooper’s (46%) with the team. Hollins also came through on the Bills’ biggest stage, catching three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs. During the regular season, the 6-foot-4 pass catcher totaled 378 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, forming a rapport with Josh Allen. The Bills agreed to terms with Josh Palmer today and still have Samuel under contract. That effectively pointed Hollins and Cooper out of Western New York.
Hollins’ only greater single-season snap share came in 2022, when he suited up for the Raiders in McDaniels’ Las Vegas debut. While McDaniels did not enjoy a successful tenure, the experienced play-caller found good use for Hollins, who finished the ’22 slate with career highs in catches (57) and yards (690). Hollins’ best game that season came against Mike Vrabel’s Titans, when he caught eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in a two-point Vegas loss.
The Patriots, who pursued a few big-name wideouts last year, still have a hole on their depth chart. A few high-profile receivers remain in free agency — from Cooper to Stefon Diggs to Keenan Allen. The Pats have more to figure out here, but Hollins will supply some depth with scheme familiarity.