After playing with Josh Allen, new Patriots WR Mack Hollins shares what’s similar about Drak Maye
"Him being able to have confidence in his game that early is great to see."
Drake Maye has often been compared to Josh Allen in his young career. New Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins sees the similarities between the two quarterbacks as well.
At his introductory press conference, Hollins shared what trait the two quarterbacks have in common and how playing with Allen will be able to help him get acclimated with Maye.
“I think one thing I learned playing with Josh is you got to have some good conditioning, because the play is not over,” Hollins told reporters. “Being able to see that in Drake’s game is great. 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.”
There were a handful of plays this past season where that mindset helped Hollins capitalize off Allen’s improvisation skills. In fact, his longest reception of the season (a 44-yard catch against the Colts) came after he broke loose down field as Allen rolled out of the pocket before unfiring a deep ball.
As a result of those sorts of plays, Hollins finished his lone season in Buffalo with 31 receptions for 378 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season. He added five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in the postseason.
Maye certainly showed a willingness to fight through pressure and sacks during his rookie season, scrambling out of the opposing team’s pass rush on countless occasions. While there were occasions where that was to Maye’s detriment, Hollins likes to see that out of a quarterback, believing it’s a sign of confidence.
“I think as a young player confidence is hard to get. But him being able to have confidence in his game that early is great to see,” Hollins said. “It’s not easy to walk into a league where you’ve got some guys who are 40, you got some guys that are 20. It’s such a range and to be able to have confidence walking into a room like that, it’s not easy to do.
“To be able to see glimpses of it when I was able to watch [him], it was great.”
In the eyes of many, Maye had a strong rookie season. He threw for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with an 88.1 passer rating to go with 421 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. But those numbers arguably could’ve been better if the supporting cast around Maye was stronger.
At 6-foot-4, Hollins could be the downfield threat that Maye lacked last season. As the quarterback and wide receiver will presumably work to get on the same page later this offseason, they already have something in common. Both players are UNC alums, with Hollins spending time in Chapel Hill from 2012-16.
Hollins shared that he actually got to know Maye’s brother, Luke, during his time at UNC. Now, he’s looking to get to know the youngest Maye.
“I know he made a good decision on colleges. Tarheel guys are just a little bit better,” Hollins said. “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.”
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