Veteran safety Jaylinn Hawkins signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Ravens in March.
Hawkins started 15 regular-season games and four playoff games for the New England Patriots last season. The 28-year-old out of the University of California adds depth to the Ravens’ secondary. He joins Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks at the safety position.
Last season in particular was one to remember for Hawkins. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound safety had four interceptions and 1.5 sacks, both career bests. His 45 solo tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery tied career highs.
Hawkins was asked about what the Ravens’ defense will look like under new head coach Jesse Minter, who will call the defense.
“Creative, smart, ball-hawking, playmaking defense,” Hawkins on Glenn Clark Radio May 28. “That’s how I would describe it. Very smart situationally, allows you to play free and actually do what you do and helps people play to their strengths.”
How will Hawkins fit in with Hamilton and Starks? Hawkins provided some insight when asked about how his versatility will be utilized.
“We’ve been getting glimpses and we’re going through plays and stuff like that,” Hawkins said. “They have been showing us what we’re doing. I’ve been doing that throughout these OTAs. As we continue to practice, we’ll do more. It’s been cool.”
One former Patriots teammate who could join Hawkins in Baltimore is free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Maryland product started every game for the Patriots last season, totaling 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns. It was a bounce-back year for Diggs after he suffered a torn ACL in 2024, when he played in just eight games with the Houston Texans.
Hawkins recently made an effort to recruit Diggs to Baltimore via social media.
“It was a little fun on social media telling my boy to come over here. He’s from Maryland. Why not come back to the crib? It makes the most sense,” Hawkins said. “I feel like we’ve got something good here, let’s run it back. That’s good energy, good teammate to play with. … Hopefully he makes the decision to become a Raven.”
Would Diggs fit in the Ravens’ locker room with all the talk about his off-field issues? Hawkins put that to rest.
“He brings it every day,” Hawkins said. “He comes to work with his hard hat on, gets it in. The energy, he’s always turnt. He’s always out there making it known. He’s getting everybody better. The vibe with him in the room, I’ve seen him help the receiving room reach new heights.”
“I didn’t really know much before, but playing a full season with him I see that’s a real good teammate,” he added.
Mentality also came up when asked about what it takes to get over the hump and win the Super Bowl, considering Hawkins came so close this past season.
“It’s the little things, all the details from everything from when you get into the building — if you’re leaving trash behind, how clean your locker room is, all the little things help you win games,” Hawkins said. “… We were very detailed and disciplined [with the Patriots].”
For more from Hawkins, listen to the full interview here: