The Ravens' biggest free-agent signing in franchise history of Trey Hendrickson, paired with the trade that wasn't for Maxx Crosby, shouldn't overshadow Baltimore's other additions.
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins could turn out to be a steal for Baltimore.
Hawkins inked a two-year, reported $10 million contract after being a full-time starting safety for the AFC champion New England Patriots last season. And his new head coach beamed when asked about him at Hendrickson's introductory press conference.
"Jaylinn had a great season this year. He was a starter for the Patriots, who obviously went all the way to the Super Bowl," Head Coach Jesse Minter said.
"He played really well [as a] deep safety. He does a lot of different things and plays with a lot of versatility. He's a guy that I'm really excited about."
Hawkins led the Patriots with four interceptions last season. He was particularly strong as a deep safety in zone coverage. Per Next Gen Stats, he was targeted on 3.8% of his snaps in zone coverage, the fifth-lowest mark of any player with at least 200 snaps in zone.
In zone coverage, Hawkins surrendered just seven receptions for 62 yards. He gave up just 0.1 yards allowed per snap. According to Pro Football Focus, Hawkins was also flagged for just two penalties all last season.
Hawkins' arrival as a dependable third safety allows Baltimore to continue to deploy Kyle Hamilton as a defensive weapon all over the field and particularly closer to the line of scrimmage. It could also create more versatility for Malaki Starks, who spent much of his rookie season as a deep safety.
Starks had an average depth of target last year of 13.6 yards. That's significantly more than Hamilton's 5.3 yards. Hawkins came in at 13.1 yards.
The Ravens loved Starks' man coverage skills when they drafted him in the first round in 2025. Starks played a considerable amount as a nickel cornerback during his time in Georgia and showed a good feel for nickel zone.
While Hawkins may play mostly as a deep safety, he can also come up and hit people. Versus the Ravens last season, Hawkins made a nice tackle on an outside run that Keaton Mitchell looked like he could've broken for a big gain. Hawkins also forced a fumble with a punchout on Derrick Henry.
Alohi Gilman departed for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency on a reported three-year, $24 million deal. Ar'Darius Washington followed John Harbuagh to New York.
Now it's Hawkins' turn to help boost a Ravens secondary that finished tied for the second-most passing yards allowed last season.
