2025 WR Depth Chart

[One-If-By-Sea]

Restrepo went Undrafted too not a surprise to me: I wasn't impressed with his tape. That said Chism had a much better tape looks more agile. It's going' to be interesting to see how these UDFA's careers pan out: I'm betting on Chism.

Edelman ran a 4.51 40 and a 6.62 3-cone. Chism ran a 4.71 40 and a 6.77 3-cone. So Chism is no Edelman clone. Having said that Chism is similar to Welker athletically, so he could be a good player if his route running and defense recognition are great. Either way it will take a few years to develop like it took Welker and Edelman.

 

[Lansdowne]

Hollins used to play for Josh McD and was the first FA receiver the Pats signed. You think McD, who was hired as the offensive coordinator, placed a top priority on signing someone who would be a ST player and used as an emergency WR? McD's primary vision was to sign fringe players that might not make the team?

Exactly. Some people need to understand how roster construction works. Not every receiver in the room has to be a young guy who puts up fantasy football stats. There’s room for experienced leaders who fill roles.

Mack Hollins is not going to lead the team in receiving but he doesn’t have to. He’s kind of like the Brandon Bolden of WR’s (another Josh McDaniels favorite), he’s not flashy but he does the dirty work and can do a little bit of everything. He has size that the other WRs don’t. He’s a strong blocker for a WR. He’s been a team captain for two previous teams (Miami in 2021 and Las Vegas in 2022) and has a good chance of this being his third.

Maybe Hollins isn’t a lead pipe lock to make the team but out of the 8 in contention he’s among the 4 safest bets. As you alluded to, he was among the first group of players who agreed to terms with the Pats on the first day of free agency. Teams don’t do that for players they have no real plan for.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Edelman ran a 4.51 40 and a 6.62 3-cone. Chism ran a 4.71 40 and a 6.77 3-cone. So Chism is no Edelman clone. Having said that Chism is similar to Welker athletically, so he could be a good player if his route running and defense recognition are great. Either way it will take a few years to develop like it took Welker and Edelman.

I think it’s more likely they convert Larison to a slot receiver and he makes it as a hybrid RB/Slot, possibly taking Gibson’s spot away from him.

 

[Zuma]

Bourne: 29 yo (2 teams in 9 seasons)


Hollins: 31 yo (6 teams in 8 seasons)


Wasn't Ricci one of Vrabel's guys?

02/03/25 Signed TE Giovanni Ricci
04/28/25 Released TE Giovanni Ricci

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think it’s more likely they convert Larison to a slot receiver and he makes it as a hybrid RB/Slot, possibly taking Gibson’s spot away from him.

Larison is more "fast than quick". He is not necessarily a slot guy, he can compete at various levels depending on the matchup. You might say hybrid RB/WR or 3rd down RB.

I think it is much much more likely Larison makes the 53 than Chism. The love for Chism is like the hate for Hollins in that both are opposites to the truth. Chism is unlikely to make the 53, and Hollins is a lock.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Larison is more "fast than quick". He is not necessarily a slot guy, he can compete at various levels depending on matchup. You might say hybrid RB/WR or 3rd down RB.

I think it is much much more likely Larison makes the 53 than Chism. The love for Chism is like the hate for Hollins in that both are opposites to the truth. Chism is unlikely to make the 53, and Hollins is a lock.

I think Larison makes the 53 and they try to get Chism to their practice squad.

 

[JohnJH]

Hollins used to play for Josh McD and was the first FA receiver the Pats signed. You think McD, who was hired as the offensive coordinator, placed a top priority on signing someone who would be a ST player and used as an emergency WR? McD's primary vision was to sign fringe players that might not make the team?

Josh didn't sign him. Vrabel did (on Josh's advice). And, was Matthew Slater a "Fringe Player" as a core ST Player and Emergency WR? I didn't say he wouldn't make the team nor get reps at WR, but don't think for a second that they're planning on having him be one of our Top 3 (or even Top 4) WR's. Because if that happens, the Offense is humped. He had one or two decent seasons as a WR. Before that, he's been pretty much what I said he is.

 

[JohnJH]

I hear Larison likes to wrestle cows for fun

I suppose in Pro Football, that could prove useful, especially at RB!

 

[Brotherblues]

They'll carry 6 WRs is my guess.

We always say that there are 6 or 7 WRs worth carrying because, for the last several years, our starters have been unable to differentiate themselves from our 7th guy. When your starters are that bad, you fear losing your 7th-best WR because he might end up being your best WR.

I'm sick of it. I want them to just pick 5 guys this season. Whoever can't crack the top 5 needs to go to the practice squad or another team.

 

[Steve102]

We always say that there are 6 or 7 WRs worth carrying because, for the last several years, our starters have been unable to differentiate themselves from our 7th guy. When your starters are that bad, you fear losing your 7th-best WR because he might end up being your best WR.

I'm sick of it. I want them to just pick 5 guys this season. Whoever can't crack the top 5 needs to go to the practice squad or another team.

Diggs
Pop
Williams
Hollins
Polk
Boutte or Bourne

That’s who I think will make it. I think they could carry 5 but Hollins is going to play a lot of specials, so it’s kinda like Slate in my mind. I don’t think Hollins is going to get over 500 yards, but folks are gonna love the dude when he’s killing some safety and Henderson is running free.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Josh didn't sign him. Vrabel did (on Josh's advice). And, was Matthew Slater a "Fringe Player" as a core ST Player and Emergency WR? I didn't say he wouldn't make the team nor get reps at WR, but don't think for a second that they're planning on having him be one of our Top 3 (or even Top 4) WR's. Because if that happens, the Offense is humped. He had one or two decent seasons as a WR. Before that, he's been pretty much what I said he is.

Hollins will play 60% of the plays. I call that Top 4 for sure. Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Hollins are the Top 4 barring injury. Douglas or Williams, whichever one blocks the least, will sit on early downs so then Hollins is Top 3.

The offense is humped if the WRs can't block. Then we have to run between the tackles which is easily bottled up. Watch Henderson bounce outside on YouTube. Bouncing outside doesn't work if the outside guys (WRs) don't block. I am not sure you think about the whole offense.

 

[JohnJH]

Hollins will play 60% of the plays. I call that Top 4 for sure. Diggs, Williams, Douglas, and Hollins are the Top 4 barring injury. Douglas or Williams, whichever one blocks the least, will sit on early downs so then Hollins is Top 3.

The offense is humped if the WRs can't block. Then we have to run between the tackles which is easily bottled up. Watch Henderson bounce outside on YouTube. Bouncing outside doesn't work if the outside guys (WRs) don't block. I am not sure you think about the whole offense.

Like you and everyone else, I'm hoping the Offense is significantly better in every area this season (and beyond). That being said, we both know that Josh expects the WR's in his Offense's to be solid blockers. I have hopes that not only Henderson will be an absolute BEAST, but that he might prove himself to be a better RB (or at least more important to the Patriots), then both Jeanty and Hampton. He can play every down, but I doubt he'll be asked to (nor should he be). Williams has legit potential. Gibson wasn't used properly last season (but then the OL sucked even in Run-Blocking). If the OL is hopefully greatly improved and especially Will Campbell has just a solid rookie season at LT (and hopefully becomes a 6'6 Rashawn Slater who also has 33" long arms at 6'4 in seasons to come), then that alone will go a long way to the Offense being better this year and in the years ahead. Add all that, combined with Maye staying healthy, and I think the Offense has potential to be Top 5 or better within the next 3 seasons (assuming they continue to add young talent).

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Like you and everyone else, I'm hoping the Offense is significantly better in every area this season (and beyond). That being said, we both know that Josh expects the WR's in his Offense's to be solid blockers. I have hopes that not only Henderson will be an absolute BEAST, but that he might prove himself to be a better RB (or at least more important to the Patriots), then both Jeanty and Hampton. He can play every down, but I doubt he'll be asked to (nor should he be). Williams has legit potential. Gibson wasn't used properly last season (but then the OL sucked even in Run-Blocking). If the OL is hopefully greatly improved and especially Will Campbell has just a solid rookie season at LT (and hopefully becomes a 6'6 Rashawn Slater who also has 33" long arms at 6'4 in seasons to come), then that alone will go a long way to the Offense being better this year and in the years ahead. Add all that, combined with Maye staying healthy, and I think the Offense has potential to be Top 5 or better within the next 3 seasons (assuming they continue to add young talent).

I agree with your post above.

But previously you said that Hollins is a ST player. That is the issue I disagree with you. Hollins is a Top 3 WR on the 2025 Pats.

 

[JohnJH]

I agree with your post above.

But previously you said that Hollins is a ST player. That is the issue I disagree with you. Hollins is a Top 3 WR on the 2025 Pats.

I'd like him to be. I just don't know if he'll play up to that expectation (given his career to date which does include one or two decent years, but the rest being unspectacular). Even then, at his age, you'll agree that he's by no means a long-term solution at WR. He probably will make the team better in some respects I hope, even for a year or two.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'd like him to be. I just don't know if he'll play up to that expectation (given his career to date which does include one or two decent years, but the rest being unspectacular). Even then, at his age, you'll agree that he's by no means a long-term solution at WR. He probably will make the team better in some respects I hope, even for a year or two.

Yes, he is a place holder until we get a real X who is tall and athletic. But until that time Hollins is our starting tall X receiver (Top 3 on the team).

 

[JohnJH]

Yes, he is a place holder until we get a real X who is tall and athletic. But until that time Hollins is our starting tall X receiver (Top 3 on the team).

It would seem so. I wish we had traded (as valuable as they are), whatever 4th to 7th Round Picks that would have been required to snag Jayden Higgins in this Draft. Him, combined with who we did draft, would have been awesome!!! He could've been a faster Tee Higgins for us.

 

[PatsFan2]

Bourne: 29 yo (2 teams in 9 seasons)


Hollins: 31 yo (6 teams in 8 seasons)


Wasn't Ricci one of Vrabel's guys?

02/03/25 Signed TE Giovanni Ricci
04/28/25 Released TE Giovanni Ricci

Yeah I'm betting on Bourne over Hollins.

 

[farn]

The only person I’d bet on : Williams. Third rounders basically never get cut before the season.

Players I think will be on the team : Diggs, Douglas, Hollins.

Everyone else : we’ll see.

 

[bakes781]

I still want to see what Baker has. We've seen Polk stink it up. I don't care what round they were taken after 1 year under a previous rookie coach.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Exactly. Some people need to understand how roster construction works. Not every receiver in the room has to be a young guy who puts up fantasy football stats. There’s room for experienced leaders who fill roles.

Mack Hollins is not going to lead the team in receiving but he doesn’t have to. He’s kind of like the Brandon Bolden of WR’s (another Josh McDaniels favorite), he’s not flashy but he does the dirty work and can do a little bit of everything. He has size that the other WRs don’t. He’s a strong blocker for a WR. He’s been a team captain for two previous teams (Miami in 2021 and Las Vegas in 2022) and has a good chance of this being his third.

Maybe Hollins isn’t a lead pipe lock to make the team but out of the 8 in contention he’s among the 4 safest bets. As you alluded to, he was among the first group of players who agreed to terms with the Pats on the first day of free agency. Teams don’t do that for players they have no real plan for.

I think the best comp for Hollins role is Chris Hogan, who was a relatively unknown player, but who came in and filled a number of roles for them.