NFL Draft Results: Mack Hollins to Philadelphia Eagles with 118th overall pick

With the 118th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select North Carolina wide receiver Mack Hollins.

There was a thought the Eagles would take a running back with their first Day 3 pick, but it turns out that they’re going with a pass catcher instead.

Hollins, who turns 24 in September, measures in at 6-4, 221 pounds. In four years with the Tarheels, Hollins had 81 receptions for 1,667 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had a whopping 20.6 yards per reception.

In addition to being a deep threat, Hollins figures to help the Eagles out on special teams. Mike Mayock said NFL evaluators believe Hollins to be one of the best ST players in this year’s class when it comes to coverage units.

Hollins did not rank in the top 25 wide receivers put together by Ben Natan or the top 17 wide receivers listed by Jonny Page here on BGN.

Here’s a scouting report on Hollins via NFL.com.

Strengths: Will have a team drooling over his size and speed. Propels himself down the field with smooth, long strides. Chomps up cushion and glides past corners and safeties before they know what hit them. Legitimate vertical threat who finished with 20 touchdowns on just 71 catches. Dangerous run-after-catch ability in on deep crossing routes and slants. Former walk-on who still has a desire to do whatever it takes. Special teams captain all four years at school. Had 20 special teams tackles over his first three seasons and offers punt and kick cover value on special teams.

Weaknesses: Played less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in every season. Primarily used to stretch the field and doesn't have experience with a variety of routes. Still very raw. One speed route-runner who wins with just speed. Routes need more purpose. Not a natural hands catcher. Never produced more than 35 catches in a single season. Play strength through his patterns is below average and he can be re-routed. Leggy in underneath work and can be slow in and out of his breaks. Stalk-blocker who needs to give much better effort in run game.

Draft Projection Round 4-5

Sources Tell Us: "What's strange is this kid is tall and fast so I don't know why he would have been so under recruited. I don't know if he will ever be more than a deep threat and cover guy but those kinds of players make teams." - AFC East scout

Bottom Line: Hollins has four things that teams will look for on Day 3 of the draft -- height, weight, speed and special teams ability. Taller receivers usually need a longer runway for their build-up speed, but Hollins appears to be able to access his top gear relatively early which makes him such a dangerous deep threat considering his above average height. Hollins' ability to cover both punts and kicks should give him early work as he continues to learn the receiver position. Hollins has WR3 potential.

Remaining Eagles draft picks

1st - No. 14 - Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

2nd - No. 43 - Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

3rd - No. 99 - Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia

4th - No. 118 - Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina

4th - No. 139 (from Cleveland Browns)

5th - No. 155

6th - No. 194

7th - No. 230

Eagles top remaining needs

Cornerback

Running back

Wide receiver

Offensive tackle

2017 NFL Draft schedule

• Day 1: Round 1 – 10 minutes
• Day 2: Round 2 – 7 Minutes, Round 3 – 5 Minutes Per Pick
• Day 3: Rounds 4-6 – 5 Minutes Per Pick, Round 7 - 4 Minutes Per Pick

(Compensatory picks = 4 minutes)