The Falcons signed former Raiders wideout Mack Hollins to a one-year contract earlier this week; the deal is worth $2.5 million for a player coming off a career year.
Hollins finished the 2022 campaign with nearly 700 yards and four touchdowns on 57 receptions. The veteran is entering his seventh year in the NFL and had multiple options in free agency but chose Atlanta.
“The opportunity to play here, win games and be coached at a high-level, they hit the marks that I wanted,” Hollins said, via the team’s website. “That’s kind of how I made that decision between me, my girlfriend and family in figuring that out.”
It seems the culture Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot have created in Flowery Branch is resonating with free agents.
“As I’ve gotten older and played more years in this league, I’ve learned to gravitate towards that and not force myself into situations where on paper it looks good but I don’t really vibe with them,” Hollins said, via the team’s website. “I go more towards the people that I genuinely feel like I vibe with and have a connection with. With Terry and Arthur, I feel like I can kick it with them, whether I played for them or not. It’s exciting be a part of something like [this].”
The Falcons aren’t exactly a dream destination for free agent wide receivers. Arthur Smith’s offense is predicated on running the ball; Atlanta ran the ball more than any other team other than the Eagles, averaging the second most yards per game. It’s not exactly an offense that appeals to pass catchers, especially with Drake London and Kyle Pitts in the fold.
But that weeds out those players who aren’t willing to do the dirty work to win football games — not Mack Hollins. The big-bodied receiver cut his teeth on special teams and carved out a full-time role doing the little things like run blocking.
“I definitely feel like I can bring another high-powered receiver to the offense but also play a significant role in the run game,” Hollins said, via the team’s website. “I’ve had that in my career where I’ve been a run blocker and I know when you have a high-powered run and pass game, it’s hard to stop an offense.”
The Falcons will depend on Mack Hollins to contribute in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but nevertheless are critical to the offense’s overall success.
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Photographer: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire
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