The New England Patriots released Stefon Diggs this offseason, and they could potentially lose Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas and Kyashon Boutte next offseason.
The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal to try to replace Diggs. However, only he, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams are under contract after next season. The Patriots could be looking at receivers in the draft to help get ahead of reloading their receiving corps before next season.
Losing Hollins could be a major blow, simply because he plays a specific role in the offense. He is an important part of blocking in the run game, and his unique size makes him a great threat downfield. The Patriots could land a receiver with similar size and traits to Hollins in the upcoming NFL Draft by selecting Malachi Fields. The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed predicted the Patriots would select him in the third round.
"Fields isn’t a speed demon — he ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine — but he has top-end size and strength at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds," Kyed wrote on Wednesday. "He caught 36 passes for 630 yards with five touchdowns at Notre Dame last season after back-to-back 800-plus receiving campaigns at Virginia."
Hollins is 6-foot-4, 221 pounds. Fields checked in at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds at the NFL Combine. Fields ran a 4.61 40-yard dash and had a 38- inch vertcial jump. His overall athleticism score was a 72, ranking 26th among receivers, and he had 2,479 yards in 48 games between the University of Virginia and Notre Dame.
The Patriots may still be trying to land A.J. Brown, but even if they do that, targeting a receiver in the third round would be wise, given that they could lose some key players at the position next offseason.
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