Sure, the PatriotsThe Patriots' recent free-agent signings have not really surprised their opponents in the AFC. However, instead of making flashy moves, it's smart to focus on clever signings that could bring long-term benefits. The Patriots made another one of those by signing safety Jaylinn Hawkins to a one-year deal this week. Jaylinn Hawkins has signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this week.
Hawkins is not a superstar, but he has been a consistent starter for most of his career. He was drafted by the in the fourth round in 2020 and became a starter in 2022. He played Falcons 92% of the team’s snaps in that season and ended with two interceptions, six passes defended, and 84 tackles. The Patriots’ main two safety spots are filled with Jabrill Peppers, but Hawkins will compete for playing time and a chance to prove he deserves a longer-term deal.
Jaylinn Hawkins is hoping to get his career back on track. Kyle Dugger and Hawkins needs to get his career back on track. Just two years ago, Bleacher Report called him one of the 'best-kept secrets' in the NFL. They also said, 'Hawkins showcased more of his potential last year.'praised him by saying
, 'Hawkins displayed more of his potential last year.'
At 6’1″, 208 pounds, Hawkins can play as a deep safety or line up in the box to help with the run, which increases his chances of getting a full-time starting position. However, after starting 16 games in 2022, Hawkins was moved to a reserve role in 2023 and was waived in October. He was then signed by the Chargers and started three of his 10 games in L.A.Hawkins has adapted well to his role in the defensive backfield, especially considering he initially played as a wide receiver in his football career. It wasn't until he went to college in California that he switched to the defensive side.
'In my head, I’m like 'No way I don’t wanna play defense,'' Hawkins said back in 2021. 'I could play defense and everything like that because I’m physical and I like playing like that, but I’m like 'I do not wanna play defense. I did not wanna go to college to play defense like no.''
His father convinced him to stick with it, and Hawkins was eventually a fourth-round pick in 2020.
The Patriots have acquired a veteran player on a minimum deal.
His contract with New England is not guaranteed. He will need to prove himself to earn a spot on the team and will have to perform well to stay beyond this year. The Patriots signed Hawkins using the “veteran salary benefit,” as reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.'Hawkins’ deal qualifies for the veteran salary benefit' Reiss wrote on Twitter/X. 'Assuming Hawkins makes the team, this means he would be paid a base salary based on his credited seasons (4), but count less on the salary cap.'
'Career stats: 58 games, 25 starts, 135 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 FF. Hawkins is 26 and entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Falcons in 2020 out of California.'
For the Patriots’ salary cap, Hawkins will only count as $940,000, but he will actually be paid $1.1 million on the year. It’s a low-risk gamble for New England.
The Patriots still have over $50 million in cap space left, the most in the NFL.
Jaylinn Hawkins, the Patriots' new defensive back, was once praised as a 'best-kept secret' when he played for the Falcons. that the Patriots signed Hawkins using the “veteran salary benefit.”
“Hawkins’ deal qualifies for the veteran salary benefit,” Reiss wrote on Twitter/X. “Assuming Hawkins makes the team, this means he would be paid a base salary based on his credited seasons (4), but count less on the salary cap.
“Career stats: 58 games, 25 starts, 135 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 FF. Hawkins is 26 and entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Falcons in 2020 out of California.”
For the purposes of the Patriots’ salary cap, then, Hawkins will only count as $940,000, the amount a second-year player gets. But he will actually be paid $1.1 million on the year. It’s a low-risk gamble for New England.
The Patriots have more than $50 million in cap space remaining, the most in the NFL.
