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New England Patriots Star Says He's Open to a Position Change
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Mack Hollins is coming off the second-best season of his NFL career, and at age 32, he’s not opposed to shaking things up.
Hollins, who famously walks around barefoot regardless of what the temperature is outside, totaled 46 catches, 550 yards, and two touchdowns for the Pats last season as they marched their way to Super Bowl LX.
But with the offseason additions of star wideout A.J. Brown and $68 million pass-catcher Romeo Doubs, the Patriots wide receiver room is looking a little crowded, which is why Hollins is open to switching positions if that’s what the team needs.
“I'm just a ballplayer; I just want to win games,” Hollins told Karen Guregian of Mass Live . “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 (where I play). If it helps us win the game, that's all I care about.”
The Patriots have an incumbent tight end who’s one of the best in the league in Hunter Henry, who’s coming off a breakout year in which he caught 60 passes for a career-best 768, and seven touchdowns, and promising rookie Eli Raridon, a 2026 third-round pick who totaled 48 receptions, 623 yards, and three touchdowns at Notre Dame.
But the depth behind those two players — a young and unproven group that includes Tanner Arkin, C.J. Dippre, Jeremiah Franklin, Mitch Van Vooren, Jack Westover — leaves much to be desired.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Hollins has ideal size to play either WR or TE. He’s an outstanding blocker, which could lead to the Pats using him more in two tight end sets and potentially in a blocking role in short-yardage or goal-line situation.
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