Mack

Hollins

Hollins played a large role for the Patriots due to his willingness and ability to block in the run game, something that isn’t likely to be made up for outside of a drastic shift to heavier rates of 12-personnel. Austin Hooper could see a significant role the rest of the way, starting in Week 17 against the Jets. That said, he isn’t likely to carry enough upside to be of use in fantasy circles.

Down two of their four main wideouts this year, and with DeMario Douglas (hamstring) also questionable, it’s possible that Stefon Diggs is asked to play outside more against the Jets in Week 17. None of New England’s three practice squad wideouts have any real game experience, so there’s probably no risk of an outside elevation blowing up here.

Hollins has missed back-to-back practices with the injury. The Patriots also may be without Kayshoun Boutte (concussion), so Drake Maye will likely be working with a less-than-spectacular receiving crops in Week 17 against the lowly Jets.

This is a bit surprising. Douglas exited Week 16 after suffering a hamstring injury. His early-week participation puts him on track to play. Hollins is not so lucky. The lanky speedster was sidelined on Wednesday by an abdominal injury, as was WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion). Rookie WR Kyle Williams would benefit if Hollins and Boutte are sidelined this week.

Boutte sustained the head injury in Week 16 against the Ravens while catching four passes for 35 yards. He would appear to be highly questionable to Week 17 against a Jets secondary that ranks among the worst in the league. If Boutte is sidelined, Mack Hollins — who ranks fourth in the NFL in air yards over the past three weeks — would be an excellent flex play for Week 17. Kyle Williams, who caught a touchdown in Week 16’s win, would have some deep league appeal if Boutte is sidelined.

The veteran journeyman made his presence felt early as he flashed across the middle of the field for a chunk gain in the second quarter, following it up with numerous catches to help move the chains. Hollins continues to play in a rotational role for the Patriots, although his big play ability gives him paths to fantasy utility in the right environment. That said, pass volume could be more sparse when the Patriots face the Jets on the road in Week 17.

Hollins made a few impressive grabs, including a crucial high-point catch on a second-and-long that helped set up a Patriots field goal. Still, for the Patriots to function as a strong offense, Hollins can’t be their primary passing game option, especially with the Bills missing their top cornerback, Christian Benford. The team will need more from Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs next week against the Ravens.

It wasn’t the 106-yard effort we saw from Hollins in Week 10’s win over the Buccaneers, but the veteran receiver continues to be a reliable target for Drake Maye with Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) sidelined. Hollins made back-to-back big plays on the Patriots’ second possession, ripping off gains of 19 and 20 yards to help set TreVeyon Henderson up for his second rushing score in as many possessions. Hollins has gone for 10-170-0 on 15 targets over the last two weeks and has been targeted on 24.6 percent of his routes over that span. He’ll remain hard to trust outside of deep leagues, but in a plus Week 12 matchup against the Bengals, he’ll have some appeal as a WR4 if Boutte misses a third-straight game.

Hollins’ first 100-yard effort since 2022 was just the second of his career. This, after he randomly broke out for 89 yards two weeks ago. Today, Hollins was taking advantage of Kayshon Boutte’s absence with a hamstring issue, but it’s still a major surprise he led the Pats with double-digit targets on an afternoon where Drake Maye attempted only 31 throws. He also helped free TreVeyon Henderson for a long touchdown run with a killer block. The Pats’ coaching staff has to be loving all this, but we are still skeptical Hollins is emerging as a legitimate WR4. That is especially true for a short-week Thursday night date with the Jets where the Pats are doubtful to be slinging the ball all over the yard.

Boutte was unable to get on the practice field this week, so this news doesn’t come as a surprise. The third-year receiver will miss his first game of the season on Sunday when the Patriots visit the Buccaneers, making Mack Hollins the most likely candidate to see an increased workload as Drake Maye’s deep target. Vrabel called Boutte “day-to-day” to start the week, so there’s a chance he’ll be ready to go for Week 11 against the Jets, although, the short week could make that difficult.