The latest Mack Hollins trade rumors are roaming across the league after the New England Patriots officially acquired veteran AJ Brown this week. The acquisition of Brown has put the Patriots WR in a logjam, and while the team has garnered interest from teams for Kayshon Boutte, it’d might be more sensible to ship Hollins to a new team. Earlier this offseason, the team signed Romeo Doubs to a long-term four-year deal that was already putting other WRs, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams, in trade rumors. The issue with that is Douglas won’t garner much interest due to his inconsistent play, so they’d probably cut him while keeping Williams in rotation.
Meanwhile, it will come down between Hollins and Boutte. The Patriots would prefer to keep both receivers, but it doesn’t make sense if the team overhauled its receiver room since releasing Stefon Diggs. Efton Chism and Williams are safe since they haven’t had a decent chance to prove themselves. With Douglas entering the final year of his deal, Hollins is also floating in the same boat.
It’d be easier to move these receivers at the same time, so QB Drake Maye has a completely fresh starting WR unit between Brown, Doubs and Boutte as the new era for this offense. Even though the former fourth-rounder has been a reliable part of this offense, he isn’t performing at the same level as the three receivers ahead of him. The Patriots could get a decent return for the receiver.
Mack Hollins Trade Rumors: 3 Top Fits After AJ Brown Blockbuster Deal
Originally selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, the former North Carolina product operated mainly in special teams during his first NFL stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. It wasn’t until 2024 that he joined the Buffalo Bills, where he had a decent season, catching five touchdowns on the season, which both led the team and set a new career-high. He caught the eyes of the Patriots, looking for a decent receiver last season, where the team took a chance on him, signing the wideout to a two-year contract.
It paid off when Maye helped him haul in 52 passes for 679 yards and a trio of scores. The 32-year-old isn’t getting any younger, but he’s still a reliable depth rotational wideout for these three teams.
Next Possible Fits
Dallas Cowboys
This could be a decent destination for Mack Hollins. The Dallas Cowboys signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a one-year deal, but there isn’t any certainty he’ll make the roster. Ryan Flournoy is getting a larger role behind George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, and would need a decent complement next to him. Valdes-Scantling is somewhat capable, but he’s too inconsistent.
While Hollins is more of a special teams specialist, which the team already has in KaVontae Turpin, they could operate him as an additional receiver. The Cowboys might as well trade for the Patriots’ WR, given his Super Bowl experience, and load up this roster alongside Valdes-Scantling.
Indianapolis Colts
Meanwhile, the Colts are in dire need of a receiver for depth. The team was forced to trade Michael Pittman Jr. due to cap constraints, which was right after they extended Alec Pierce to a blockbuster contract. Indianapolis is bringing back Daniel Jones for two more seasons, and they can’t afford to let the QB settle for Pierce and Josh Downs as his top options. They’d need at least one more decent receiver to help in the slot, and even though Hollins won’t put up huge numbers, he’s better than nothing.
San Francisco 49ers
Despite losing Jauan Jennings this free agency to Minnesota, the team is still clinging to Brandon Aiyuk. However, his days are over, so there’s no worry there, which means there is room for the 49ers to trade for Mack Hollins, at least in a situational role. The 49ers drafted De’Zhaun Stribling while signing Christian Kirk and Mike Evans to overhaul its offense for Brock Purdy. The Patriots WR won’t start full-time, but he’d help Stribling adjust in the slot as a WR4 while Evans, Kirk and Ricky Pearsall garner most of the starting snaps.
