More than fitting in, newcomer Hollins making mark on Raiders

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Aug. 12, 2022 | 2 a.m.

The lasting image of the Raiders’ trip to Canton, Ohio, to play in the Hall of Fame Game might have come off the field in a moment that went viral on social media. Quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Davante Adams, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and wide receiver Mack Hollins all piled into an ultracompact vehicle to catch a ride to a Topgolf location.

Adams posted a video on Instagram with the message that Renfrow, who was loading into the front seat, was no longer allowed to order Ubers. Carr snickered while crammed against the window on the opposite side of Adams in the backseat.

Hollins was right in the middle of it all, an appropriate placement for the free-agent acquisition from the Miami Dolphins who’s quickly become the glue holding the Raiders together.

“That’s an amazing dude,” running back Josh Jacobs said of Hollins. “He’s funny, and he’s a hard worker. He comes out there every day and puts in the work. I’m excited to see him (on the field).”

The Raiders came into training camp with a competition for the third receiver role next to Adams and Renfrow, or the fourth overall option in the passing game when including tight end Darren Waller. But with a month of practices still to go before the regular-season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers, it looks all but decided.

The 28-year-old Hollins, a sixth-year pro out of the University of North Carolina, has earned the spot.

A rotation will surely be utilized to potentially give the likes of Demarcus Robinson, Keelan Cole, Tyron Johnson and others opportunities but Hollins has emerged as the primary running mate to the triumvirate of Adams, Waller and Renfrow.

“He’s smart enough to move all over our offense, which is very helpful to him,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said. “He’s gotten off to a good start.”

Jacobs went as far as to say that he’s never seen someone master a new offense quicker than Hollins has done with McDaniels’ scheme. Everyone on the team, regardless of their position group, seems to have some superlative to throw in Hollins’ direction.

Waller said Hollins was one of the funniest people he’s ever met. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby called Hollins the hardest-working teammate he’s ever played alongside.

“Mack Hollins is a guy who’s gotten maybe too much conversation in these press conferences,” punter A.J. Cole said with a laugh. “He’s the guy that’s always got an interesting topic to talk about. We had a whole long conversation the other day about different animals, where you would want to fight them, like if you’d rather fight a lion on land or you’d rather fight an alligator in the water.”

Another dilemma Hollins has pitched to teammates asks whether they’d rather live in a small apartment or a mansion full of rattlesnakes. He insists he’d choose the latter, even though players Cole and Renfrow refuse to believe him.

There’s reason for all the off-the-wall conversation, according to Hollins. A team captain both with the Dolphins and while at North Carolina, he’s learned it’s a route to keeping locker room morale high.

“I think it’s because I don’t care what people think about me,” he said. “Like, I’m not trying to live forever. I’m here for a short amount of time, and if you don’t like me, then so be it. I try to enjoy the time we have here because I know that a football career is shorter than any other career. So, if I’m going to be here and be with y’all for 12 hours a day, I better enjoy being around y’all or y’all are going to enjoy being around me.”

He's implemented more traditional measures for helping the team too — especially in the conditioning department. During offseason team activities in June, Hollins began running two-and-a-half laps around the perimeter of Raiders’ three outdoor practice fields at the end of every workout.

He calculated it out to be a mile-run, though admits his math might be off and it could actually be longer. Teammates started taking notice and joining in. Now it’s considered an accomplishment to finish “the Mack Hollins mile” after a practice or weight-training session.

“It’s just mental,” Hollins explained. “You do a hard lift, and at the end, I can still do a mile. When you’re in the third, fourth quarter and I’m hurting, I can still do a mile and I can still get a couple more plays. That’s the mindset behind it.”

Stamina will be specifically important to Hollins this season as he's expected to participate on all of the Raiders' special teams units in addition to his offensive duties. Special teams is where he's made his name so far in the NFL, and it played a big role in the Raiders inking him to a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason.

Hollins drew the line at inviting McDaniels or any of his staff to participate in the mile run, saying he’s “not challenging any coaches.” Toning it down in front of the coaches might be a wise choice.

Hollins has carved his niche after only a few months with the Raiders, and has no reason to risk it.

“I don’t think I could make that,” McDaniels said with a laugh when told about the mile. “I’m glad he hasn’t asked me, but he’s a great personality, a big-time leader.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or