Patriots Predicted To Re-Sign Breakout Starter After Career Year

The New England Patriots are heading to the Super Bowl, and Jaylinn Hawkins’ breakout season has played a major role in that.

Hawkins signed a second consecutive one-year deal with the Patriots last offseason. In his first season with the team, he played in all 17 games but made just seven starts. He was decent, but this season he has started all 15 games he has played in.

He has 71 tackles, three tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, six passes defended, one fumble recovery and four interceptions. He will be a free agent after the season, and CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles predicted the Patriots would re-sign him.

Hawkins has been one of the key players for Mike Vrabel’s defense, and his set himself up to cash in as a free agent. However, there are other productive safeties hitting free agency as well.

Players like Kamren Curl, Kevin Byard, Jabril Peppers and Bryan Cook all had great seasons and could be higher on the priority list for teams with a need at safety.

The Patriots could look to spend big at safety and upgrade from Hawkins, who had a great season. However, they know what Hawkins can do in their defense, and he has already bought into their culture.

“He’s got some ball production this year, right? Obviously, love that, but … he’s fully bought in,” interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr told The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed earlier this month. “He’s a physical player, brings, if not the most, great energy every single day in the building, on the practice field. He’s a guy that constantly relays the message throughout the week, 100 percent bought into the message or the plan, executes the best of his ability, flies around. Great communicator, loud. I think he got his opportunity, and he’s like, I’m holding on to this.”

Re-signing Hawkins would be cheaper than going out and paying a player like Curl or Byard. Hawkins has shown he can lead and produce in New England. He enjoys playing for Vrabel, so a reunion makes sense.