In a league obsessed with combine metrics and fantasy football points, Mack Hollins stands out for the grit and value you can’t quantify on a stat sheet. Over a career that has spanned nine seasons and six different teams, the veteran wide receiver has carved out a lasting role in the National Football League not by chasing stardom, but by mastering the gritty, unglamorous work that wins football games. From a walk-on at North Carolina to a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles and now a key contributor for the New England Patriots, Hollins’s story is one of resilience, versatility, and an unshakeable commitment to his unique identity. While the journey of Mack Hollins has seen him catch passes from stars like Carson Wentz and Josh Allen, his true impact has always been in the brutal downfield blocks, the hustle on special teams, and the quiet leadership in the locker room. This is the profile of a modern NFL journeyman who proves that a player can be indispensable without ever being the main attraction.
The Formative Years: From Walk-On to Deep Threat
The story of Mack Hollins begins far from the bright lights of the NFL. Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, his path to Division I football was anything but straightforward. Despite a promising high school career at Thomas S. Wootton High School, he did not receive a single scholarship offer, a reality check that would define his underdog mentality. Unwilling to give up on his dream, Hollins took a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy, a well-known path for athletes seeking to improve their standing with college recruiters. His time there, playing alongside future NFL quarterback Cardale Jones, sharpened his skills and his discipline. His perseverance finally paid off with a preferred walk-on opportunity at the University of North Carolina, contingent on him gaining academic admission to the prestigious school. This “prove-it” invitation was all he needed.
Once at UNC, Hollins quickly demonstrated that he belonged. His 6-foot-4, 221-pound frame made him an immediate asset, but it was his relentless work ethic on special teams that first caught the coaching staff’s attention. As a freshman in 2013, he was named a special teams captain, a rare honor for a walk-on, showcasing the leadership and selfless attitude that would become his trademarks. His role expanded dramatically in his sophomore year. In 2014, he earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors by leading the Tar Heels with 613 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He announced himself as a premier deep threat with a staggering 91-yard touchdown reception against San Diego State, a play that still stands as the longest in the history of Kenan Stadium. This big-play ability became his signature. As a junior in 2015, Hollins led all major college receivers in the nation with a stunning average of 24.8 yards per reception, proving he was one of the most dangerous vertical threats in the country.
Mack Hollins‘s college career, however, was not just about explosive plays. The following table illustrates his statistical progression and efficiency at North Carolina:
Mack Hollins College Receiving Statistics at UNC
| Season | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards Per Reception | Touchdowns | Longest Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 | 35 | 613 | 17.5 | 8 | 91 |
| 2015 | 13 | 30 | 745 | 24.8 | 8 | 74 |
| 2016 | 7 | 16 | 309 | 19.3 | 4 | 71 |
| Career | 33 | 81 | 1,667 | 20.6 | 20 | 91 |
His time at UNC was cut short by injury during his senior season, but his body of work was undeniable. He graduated with a degree in exercise and sport science, and perhaps more importantly, he left as a player defined by far more than his receiving stats. He was a captain, a special teams ace, and a player who maximized every single opportunity, setting the stage for a professional career built on the same versatile, blue-collar foundation.
The Professional Grind: A Journeyman’s Path Through the NFL
Drafted in the fourth round (118th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, Mack Hollins entered the league with a clear understanding of how to stick. The Eagles, under head coach Doug Pederson, valued versatile role players, and Hollins fit the mold perfectly. His rookie season offered a glimpse of his potential: he caught his first career touchdown—a 64-yard bomb from Carson Wentz—and contributed meaningfully on special teams. More importantly, he was part of the Eagles’ historic Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots, earning a championship ring in his first year, primarily through his work on kick and punt coverage units. This early success, however, was followed by adversity. A nagging groin injury cost him the entire 2018 season, placing him on injured reserve and forcing him to watch his teammates defend their title from the sidelines.
This injury began a cycle of movement that would define the middle phase of his career. After being waived by the Eagles in 2019, he was claimed by the Miami Dolphins. In Miami, he began to refine his niche. He wasn’t a primary target, but he became a trusted red-zone and situational option. In 2021, he turned just 14 receptions into 4 touchdowns, demonstrating a knack for making the most of limited opportunities. His teammates recognized his value and leadership, voting him a team captain that season—a testament to the respect he commanded in the locker room despite not being a statistical star. As one former teammate, quarterback Tommy DeVito, later noted, “He is truly the most one-of-a-kind person I’ve ever been around… One of the best teammates I’ve ever had”.
Hollins’s journey took a pivotal turn in 2022 when he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Given a larger offensive role, he delivered the most productive statistical season of his career, setting personal bests with 57 receptions for 690 yards. He had a breakout game against the Tennessee Titans, hauling in 8 catches for a career-high 158 yards, showcasing that when called upon as a featured receiver, he could produce. After a quieter year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, he found a perfect fit with the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Brought in specifically as a blocking receiver and special teamer, Hollins ended up leading the entire Bills team with 5 touchdown receptions, a new career-high that underscored his consistent ability to exceed expectations. Each stop on this winding path added a new layer to his game and reinforced his reputation as a versatile, high-character player who could help a team in a multitude of ways.
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The New England Chapter: Leadership, Grit, and a Viral Persona
In March 2025, Mack Hollins brought his unique skill set and personality to Foxborough, signing a two-year contract with the New England Patriots. Under the hard-nosed philosophy of head coach Mike Vrabel, a player like Hollins—who thrives on physicality and details—was a natural fit. His role was clearly defined from the start: a rotational receiver who could move the chains, a devastating blocker in the run game, and a core member of the special teams units. He quickly became a security blanket for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, making key catches in critical moments. For instance, in a tight Week 10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hollins broke the game open with a 54-yard reception, his longest play in several seasons.
The 2025 season, however, tested Hollins’s trademark resilience in a profound way. In late December, after starting 13 games and logging more offensive snaps than any other Patriots receiver, he suffered a severe internal injury later revealed to be a lacerated spleen. The injury was serious enough to require a stint on injured reserve, causing him to miss the final stretch of the regular season and the first two playoff games. His absence was felt acutely, highlighting his value to the team’s offensive structure. In a remarkable display of toughness, Hollins fought his way back to be activated for the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. He didn’t just suit up; he led the team with 51 receiving yards on two crucial catches, helping propel the Patriots to a 10-7 victory and a berth in Super Bowl LX.
It was on the Super Bowl stage that the world saw the full, unfiltered personality of Mack Hollins. Arriving at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 60, he created an instant viral moment. He walked into the arena wearing a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs, shackles, and a haunting “Hannibal Lecter”-style mask. The outfit was reportedly a tribute to an ultra-high-security prison unit, and he carried Coach Vrabel’s old high school jersey, which he later wore during warmups. This was not an isolated act but the latest in a long line of eccentricities that have made him a legend among teammates. He’s known for walking around barefoot, avoiding utensils to eat, and having a highly disciplined, almost ritualistic approach to his body and diet. As Patriots cornerback Alex Austin explained, “Mack, he’s a different guy. You learn something from him too, because he has a reason for why he’s doing it. He does everything with an intent”. This unique persona, far from being a distraction, has made him a beloved and unifying figure in every locker room he’s entered.
The Essence of Value: More Than a Stat Line
To understand the career of Mack Hollins is to look beyond the receiving totals. His value is a mosaic of underrated skills, intangibles, and a specific brand of leadership that coaches crave. Foremost among his on-field strengths is his blocking. At his size, Hollins functions as an extra offensive lineman on the perimeter. His downfield blocks have sprung countless long runs for teammates throughout his career, a contribution that directly leads to points but never shows up in his personal stat column. In New England’s Week 5 win over Buffalo in 2025, it was Hollins’s key block that cleared the path for Rhamondre Stevenson’s game-sealing touchdown run. This willingness to do the dirty work is the hallmark of his game.
Equally important is his tenure as a special teams ace. Since his college days, Hollins has been a force on kick and punt coverage units. He has 32 career special teams tackles, has recovered fumbles, and has even taken a kick return for 38 yards. In a league where roster spots are won and lost on special teams proficiency, Hollins’s excellence in this phase guarantees his employment. He is the embodiment of the “four-phase” player, contributing on offense, punt return, punt coverage, and kickoff coverage. Furthermore, his journey through six NFL teams has given him a unique perspective and a chameleon-like ability to assimilate into different offensive systems. He has played in spread offenses, ground-and-pound schemes, and everything in between, making him a quickly adaptable and reliable veteran presence.
Perhaps his greatest asset is his locker room presence and leadership. Voted a captain in Miami and Las Vegas, Hollins leads not with fiery speeches but with consistent action and an unwavering authenticity. His eccentric habits and intense personal routines fascinate and inspire younger players. He represents a model of professionalism that is entirely his own, proving that success doesn’t require conformity. In an era of carefully curated media images, Hollins is genuinely, unabashedly himself. This authenticity fosters immense trust and camaraderie, making him a glue guy who helps build team culture—a quality that front offices are willing to pay for, season after season.
Facing Adversity: Injury and Longevity
The physical toll of the NFL is a central theme in the career of any journeyman, and Mack Hollins is no exception. His path has been marked by significant hurdles that threatened to derail his progress. The first major setback came early, with the groin injury that wiped out his entire second season in Philadelphia just after winning a Super Bowl. For a young player trying to establish himself, a lost season is a devastating blow, creating uncertainty and requiring immense mental fortitude to rehab and return.
A decade later, he faced an even more frightening challenge. The lacerated spleen he suffered during the 2025 season was a sobering reminder of the sport’s dangers. An injury to an internal organ is no typical football ailment; it is a serious medical event that requires careful healing. The fact that Hollins, at age 32, not only recovered but returned to play at a championship level in less than two months speaks volumes about his physical toughness and dedication to his craft. His performance in the AFC Championship Game, just weeks after such an injury, is the stuff of locker room legend.
These battles with injury contextualize his statistical output. His career totals—over 2,600 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns—are not eye-popping on their own. However, when viewed through the lens of missed time, fluctuating roles, and a primary focus on blocking and special teams, they represent remarkable efficiency and resilience. Hollins has mastered the art of staying ready, of contributing in whatever way his team needs on any given week. His longevity in a league with extreme turnover is a direct result of this adaptability and his unwavering commitment to the non-negotiable, physical aspects of football that win games. He is a testament to the idea that a long NFL career is built not just on talent, but on durability, intelligence, and an unshakeable sense of purpose.
Conclusion
The story of Mack Hollins is a compelling blueprint for sustainable success in professional sports. In a landscape that often celebrates only the superstars, his career shouts the value of the specialist, the grinder, and the true teammate. From an overlooked walk-on to a Super Bowl champion and a viral personality, he has navigated the NFL on his own terms, defining his worth through versatility, toughness, and authenticity. As he continues his career with the New England Patriots, Hollins remains a powerful reminder that the heart of football isn’t always found in the highlight reel. It’s found in the decisive block that doesn’t get noticed, the special teams tackle that flips field position, and the unique spirit that unites a locker room. Mack Hollins isn’t just a player; he’s a philosophy—proof that greatness can be quiet, intentional, and profoundly impactful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mack Hollins
How did Mack Hollins get into the NFL?
Mack Hollins entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick (118th overall) of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 NFL Draft. His path to that point was unconventional, as he was a walk-on at the University of North Carolina after not receiving any scholarship offers out of high school. He made a name for himself at UNC as a devastating deep threat and special teams standout, which caught the attention of NFL scouts.
What teams has Mack Hollins played for?
Throughout his journeyman career, Mack Hollins has played for six NFL teams. His career journey is as follows: Philadelphia Eagles (2017-2019), Miami Dolphins (2019-2021), Las Vegas Raiders (2022), Atlanta Falcons (2023), Buffalo Bills (2024), and the New England Patriots (2025-present). He won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles and recently played in Super Bowl LX with the Patriots.
What is Mack Hollins known for on the field?
Mack Hollins is renowned for being a versatile, physical role player. His primary known attributes are his exceptional blocking as a wide receiver, his core contributions on special teams coverage units, and his ability to make clutch, high-value receptions despite often not being a primary target. Coaches value him for doing the “dirty work” that helps the entire offense function.
Why did Mack Hollins go viral during Super Bowl 60?
Mack Hollins created a viral sensation by arriving at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 60 dressed in a full prison jumpsuit with restraints and a “Hannibal Lecter”-style mask. The outfit was reportedly a reference to a supermax prison unit. This act was consistent with his long-established reputation as an eccentric and unique personality who does things his own way, a trait that endears him to teammates and fans alike.
What was the serious injury Mack Hollins played through in the 2025 playoffs?
During the 2025 season, Mack Hollins suffered a lacerated spleen, a serious internal injury that forced him to miss the final regular season games and the first two playoff contests. In a remarkable display of toughness, he rehabbed and was activated for the AFC Championship Game, where he led the Patriots in receiving yards, helping them advance to the Super Bowl.
