Why Eagles WR Hack Hollins is poised to have a breakout season
18 July 2018 Eagles News
The Eagles drafted North Carolina wide receiver Mack Hollins last year solely on potential, but after a promising rookie year, they’re hoping he can provide them much more.
Now in his second season, Hollins has seen it all. He helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl contributing both offensively and on special teams.
Through all his success last season, Hollins saw 22 targets, catching 16 of them for 226 yards and one touchdown. His lone touchdown was a 64-yard bomb on Monday Night versus the Washington Redskins.
Hollins TD – #Redskins appear to be in quarters. Swearinger reads deep out, gets caught looking in backfield as Hollins runs out-&-up pic.twitter.com/zZoiFG2Kac
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 25, 2017
Why is year two going to be even bigger and better? There’s a multitude of reasons, but the main two are the acquisition of wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer and the opening on the depth chart left after the Eagles traded Torrey Smith.
Let’s first talk about the trade and how it frees up Hollins. Smith held that role. Sure, the Eagles signed wide receiver Mike Wallace to a one-year contract, but there’s no guarantee he actually makes the team. In instances like this, the Eagles would likely go with Hollins in a positional battle.
The reason he has an edge in the positional battle goes hand in hand with their addition of receivers coach Brewer, who coached Hollins at The University of North Carolina. Having that familiarity with Hollins and his ability already is key as well as the comfort level with each other.
If there’s one player who’s going to have a breakout season, it’s going to be Hollins. The stars have aligned the right way for him and it’s up to him to take advantage.
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