Patriots' Safety Shakeup: Hawkins Emerges as Offseason Free-Agent Focus

The Patriots overhauled their safety room, moving on from two high-paid safeties and pivoting to a veteran journeyman and a 4th‑round rookie. Jaylinn Hawkins blossomed last season and is now a marquee free-agent target, with projections ranging from a big eight-figure-per-year deal to more modest, Vrabel‑backed expectations. The team may re-sign him or look to replace him depending on how free agency unfolds.