RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesPatriots' Mack Hollins boldly signals readiness to play TE over Hunter Henry, Julian Hill originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The New England Patriots want to retain all of their Super Bowl momentum heading into the 2027 NFL season. Coach Mike Vrabel is ensuring their schemes are set for another title run, but he has a conundrum when it comes to rotations. He just saw Hunter Henry and Julian Hill struggle. So, Mack Hollins could be the solution for their problem at tight end. Even the eight-year veteran outlined his willingness to fill in their gaps.
Patriots' Hollins wants to fill in TE gaps over Henry and Hill
Mack Hollins has exclusively played wide receiver throughout his whole NFL career. Whether it was with the Philadelphia Eagles , Miami Dolphins , Las Vegas Raiders , Atlanta Falcons , Buffalo Bills , or the Patriots , he has stayed at that position. Now, it looks like things will change.
See, Coach Mike Vrabel does have Hunter Henry as a starter at tight end. But it is with the backups where the woes take place. Julian Hill just had a season-ending knee injury during the Patriots' voluntary offseason practice. CJ Dippre is also listed as injured on their depth chart.
The Patriots do have Eli Raridon, who just got drafted, but it may be too early to have him start on off-nights for Henry. This is where Hollins comes in.
Hollins signaled a strong willingness to play tight end for the Patriots for the sake of just winning games. He even outlined his skill sets that got random praises that may just fit the tight end role, via Karen Guregian of MassLive.
"I'm just a ballplayer. I just want to win games. If you put me in the backfield, I'll run the ball if that's what it's going to be. I think people say I'm like a hybrid tight end because I put my hands on D-Ends and they don't move as well. I got muscles, and I can block. It doesn't matter. If it helps us win the game, that's all I care about," Hollins declared.
These words may have just been music to Coach Vrabel's ears because the Patriots need a blocker. The same cannot be said for their wide receivers because that position is stacked for the Patriots. They have AJ Brown, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, and Nick DeGennaro to catch passes from Drake Maye. So, moving Hollins to the tight end spot could just be what the Patriots need.
Obviously, this means that the Patriots will have to change their conditioning and upskilling plans for Hollins during the remaining months of the offseason. If Coach Vrabel really needs it and Hollins is willing, this might just be the move.
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