FOXBOROUGH – Mack Hollins has a good idea of the type of receiver needed to help Drake Maye. The newest Patriots receiver also has a good idea of the type of person Maye is.
At the University of North Carolina, Hollins overlapped with Maye’s older brother, Luke Maye, for two years. The two Tarheels became friends, and the receiver even met the Maye family.
The connection made him a fan of the young quarterback and now, the veteran receiver is excited to be on the same team after signing a 2-year, $8.4 million deal with the Patriots.
“I know he made a good decision on colleges. Tarheel guys are just a little bit better,” Hollins said Friday. “I actually know his brother, Luke. We were in school together, and their family is great. I think that’s important at any position, but especially quarterback, because I think there’s so much on the shoulders of quarterbacks, especially in today’s game.
“So, he’s raised well, but then he’s a fierce competitor, just from watching him and playing against him. I know that and I’m excited to get opportunities to play with him and catch the ball.”
Hollins not only knows about Maye and his family’s ultra competitiveness but also has a good idea of how to help the young quarterback. Last season, the veteran played in Buffalo with MVP quarterback Josh Allen.
Maye has drawn comparisons to Allen based on his size, athleticism, and arm strength. Allen’s ability to keep plays alive makes it harder to defend the Bills offense – and Hollins found out that even when it looks like the quarterback might get sacked, he still needs to work to get open.
Hollins started 13 games in Buffalo last season, finishing with 31 catches, 378 yards, and a career-high five touchdowns. He was the recipient of several Allen deep passes on those ‘scramble plays.’
“I think one thing I learned playing with Josh is you got to have some good conditioning, because the play is not over. And being able to see that in Drake’s game is great,” Hollins said. “Just carry it over and always be available, because you never know what Drake might spin out of, duck under, jump over, and like, you got to be there, because there’s nothing worse as a player, and this is little league when I used to do it when I was a quarterback, you come out of a cool move in the backfield and you look and your receivers are already walking thinking you got tackled.
“So, to be able to be that guy and kind of get the whole room and whole team on that same wavelength of like ‘Drake’s not down yet.’ It’s going to be good.”
When Hollins signed with the Patriots this weekend, he soon reached out to Maye over text message. The two will officially connect when the Patriots come to Gillette Stadium at the beginning of April for the start of offseason workouts.
At 6-foot-4, Hollins will provide depth at the Patriots X-receiver position along with Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker.
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