Reggie

Gilliam

The Patriots snuck Hollins onto the injured reserve list over the weekend. He will be eligible to return after sitting out for four games. The Patriots also placed FB Reggie Gilliam on injured reserve.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the deal is worth up to $12 million and includes $6 million fully guaranteed. Jack Westover, a former tight end, handled fullback duties for New England last year. Pro Football Focus graded Gilliam as their No. 1 back in pass protection last year. He also earned a top-10 mark in run-blocking. Though the fullback is a dying breed, Gilliam will be a solid upgrade for the Pats this year.

Gilliam is a quality special teams player who sees most of his time on kick coverage rather than on offense.

Gilliam played 156 snaps last season, mostly as a fullback, and graded out as a positive run and pass blocker per PFF’s charting data. Gilliam, also a core special teams player for Buffalo, is now under contract through the 2024 season.

Gilliam (6'1/255) has been a standout on special teams for the Rockets, blocking a total of six kicks the last two seasons (four in 2018). A second team all-MAC selection at tight end, that honor had more to do with his blocking and special teams prowess than it did his production as a pass catcher (six catches for 71 yards, 3 TDs). Gilliam could see more passes come his way this fall, as the Rockets have to account for the loss of wide receivers Cody Thompson, Diontae Johnson, and Jon’Vea Johnson. “I think my passing game will be expanded a lot this year,” Gilliam said. “A lot of our big receivers like Cody and Jon’Vea and Diontae are gone, so we need someone else to step up and I think I can fill that role.” Tight ends Drew Rosi and Jamal Turner are also in line to see an increase in opportunities this season.