Jaylinn

Hawkins

Peppers has $4.32 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract for this season. The 29-year-old safety started 26 games over the last three seasons with the Patriots. New England could be looking to start Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson now, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Hawkins will handle backup safety duties while primarily contributing on special teams. He earned a 69.5 PFF special teams grade last year, though he does not return punts nor kicks.

Hawkins was primarily a special teams contributor for Atlanta to start the season. He saw a handful of defensive snaps in each of his first three games but has only played on defense one time in the past three weeks. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers were not the only team to put in a claim on Hawkins.

Hawkins was a 2020 fourth-round pick by the Falcons, starting 16 games in 2022. He has four career interceptions and was in the last year of his rookie contract, but Hawkins has now been cut loose by Atlanta.

Hawkins (6'0/208) was a highly recruited wide receiver in high school but transitioned to Cal’s secondary after a redshirt year. He was a three-year starter and earned an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a redshirt senior. He has racked up 10 interceptions over the last three seasons, but he is a below-average tackler and makes too many gambles for a free safety. Hawkins was a projected undrafted free agent and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s 30th ranked safety in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Hawkins (6'0/208) was a highly recruited wide receiver in high school, but transitioned to the secondary at Cal after redshirting. He was a three-year starter and earned an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a redshirt senior. He has racked up 10 interceptions over the last three seasons, but he is a below-average tackler and makes too many gambles for a free safety. Hawkins was a projected undrafted free agent and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s 30th ranked safety in the 2020 NFL Draft. Most considered him as a special teamer. The Falcons seem to be expecting more.

Hawkins (6'0/208) was a highly recruited wide receiver in high school, but transitioned to the secondary at Cal after redshirting. He was a three-year starter and earned an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a redshirt senior. He has racked up 10 interceptions over the last three seasons, but he is a below-average tackler and makes too many gambles for a free safety. Hawkins was a projected undrafted free agent and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s 30th ranked safety in the 2020 NFL Draft. Most considered him as a special teamer. The Falcons seem to be expecting more.

“His eyes and instincts are good enough in space, but Hawkins just doesn’t have the twitch to make enough plays on the football,” Zierlein notes of the 6-foot-1, 208-pound Cal safety. The analyst admires Hawkins’ physicality, though in the same breath he cautions that Hawkins is more big-hitter than wrap-up tackler. Undrafted free agency will likely be awaiting Hawkins later this spring. He could grind his way to a pro roster spot on special teams, but there is not much upside, here.

Even 10 years ago, a “reckless and dangerous” play style would be a positive. Big, aggressive hits were a defining trait for many safeties up until the past half-decade or so. Now, many of those hits can lead to penalties or missed tackles, and that is the exact concern the NFC scout Zierlein talked to had about Hawkins. That being said, Zierlein holds up Hawkins’ ability to even get in position for these plays, praising both his vision in coverage and quickness in his change of direction. Hawkins (6'1/208) is likely a late-round or UDFA prospect, but his aggression could be well served on special teams.

With 10 career interceptions, Hawkins ranks No. 10 all-time in program history. He earned All-Pac 12 honorable mentioned accommodations as a senior. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has NFL size and is known to be a smart player, but his athleticism is questioned. He’ll have to answer those questions during the pre-draft process to get drafted.