Patriots Reportedly Bring Back Depth Piece In Secondary

The New England Patriots made several splashes in free agency this week in an effort to revamp their defense.

The Patriots’ latest reported move won’t qualify as a splash, but it helped the team maintain depth in its defensive unit.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, safety Jaylinn Hawkins and the Patriots agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million Wednesday night.

Hawkins was called upon more than expected in his first season with the Patriots in 2024. With Kyle Dugger fighting through injuries and Jabrill Peppers dealing with an alleged domestic violence incident, which he was acquitted of, Hawkins played in all 17 games and made seven starts. The 27-year-old tallied 48 tackles, which was the second-most in his five-year NFL career.

Hawkins ended up playing 55% of New England’s defensive snaps and was a mainstay on special teams, too, where he played 70% of snaps. That versatility likely earned him another contract with the Patriots.

The Patriots will have a good deal of continuity in their secondary, especially with their safeties with Hawkins returning. That positional group is made up of Hawkins, Dugger, Peppers, Marte Mapu and Dell Pettus.