Jaylinn Hawkins didn’t have to wait long to make an impression in Baltimore, and that’s exactly the kind of reminder Patriots fans probably didn’t want.
Hawkins wanted to come back to New England this offseason, and plenty of fans were on board with that idea. The Patriots went another way, though, and now the veteran safety is already turning heads with the Ravens.
There’s only so much anyone can take away from spring work without pads or live contact, but Hawkins has still managed to stand out early. Ryan Mink of the Ravens’ official website named him among 15 players who “stood out” and “consistently shined” during minicamp and OTAs.
“Hawkins has been an instant hit in the secondary since signing this offseason as a free agent," Mink wrote. "He broke up a lot of passes (including a deep shot to Zay Flowers during OTAs) and [closed] quickly on underneath throws. Hawkins plays with a swagger that fits well in Baltimore."
That kind of start probably feels familiar to anyone who watched Hawkins in New England. He first made his mark there as a special-teams piece in 2024, then grew into an every-down presence for a team that reached the Super Bowl last season.
His value came from more than just one skill. Hawkins brought ball production, versatility and a steady edge that made him hard to take off the field.
Now he’s carrying that same profile into Baltimore, and the early signs suggest the Ravens are getting exactly what the Patriots had in him. He was a major part of New England’s pass defense and run defense, and he played with the kind of confidence that showed up every week.
The move also came with a little extra sting for Patriots fans. Hawkins signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Baltimore not long after his replacement, Kevin Byard III, landed $9 million for just 2026.
Hawkins missed two games in 2025 because of a hamstring injury, but when he was available, he was productive. In 15 games, the 2020 fourth-round pick finished with 71 tackles, including three for loss, along with six pass deflections, five quarterback hits, four interceptions, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
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CBS Just Gave Drake Maye Another Patriots Fans Wont Forget
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The comparison at the top of the list only sharpens the debate, with Matthew Stafford landing above Maye despite the Patriots quarterbacks standout season. CBS pointed to the difference in surrounding conditions, noting Maye took more sacks and worked with a less effective receiving corps than Stafford did, and that context will matter again as New England keeps trying to build a more complete offense around him. [Read more 🡒]