ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons selected former California safety Jaylinn Hawkins with the 134th-overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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WHY HE FITS
Given the attrition at the safety position in recent seasons, it makes sense the Falcons would look at add some depth there in the draft. Hawkins has experience playing a variety of roles, and he began his college career as a cornerback. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hawkins has the size and physicality to play the box safety role the Falcons often utilized with Keanu Neal. He also displayed a reliable nose for the football and recorded 10 interceptions in his final three college seasons, including six picks as a junior.
DRAFT GRADES
Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com
- Grade: A
- Comment: "Hawkins got lost in Ashtyn Davis' shadow but is an instinctive, rangy playmaker in his own right. High-end ball skills and quickness in coverage. Flies downhill in run support too. Not a burner and slender frame. Falcons need all the game-changers they can get in the secondary."
Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report
- Grade: B
- Comment: "Hawkins is a converted wide receiver who is always around the ball. He doesn't have the speed or athleticism of an ideal starting safety, but players like Hawkins have a way of sticking on rosters and making an impact."
"Physical safety whose lack of speed and cover talent could pigeonhole him as a box safety at the next level. His eyes and instincts are good enough in space, but Hawkins just doesn't have the twitch to make enough plays on the football. He's a striker, but not reliable as a "get him down" tackler in the open field and that will work against him. He will need to shine as a special-teams contributor to make a roster," Lance Zierlein writes of Hawkins.
Editor's note: This story will continue to be updated.
With the No. 134 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select California safety Jaylinn Hawkins.
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins holds the trophy after a win over Illinois during the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) intercepts a pass intended for Illinois wide receiver Donny Navarro (86) during the second half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) intercepts a pass for Stanford wide receiver Simi Fehoko (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) stands on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) intercepts a pass for Stanford wide receiver Simi Fehoko (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
California safety Jaylinn Hawkins runs with the ball after intercepting a TCU pass during the first half of the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
California Golden Bears safety Jaylinn Hawkins left, and California Golden Bears defensive back Cameron Walker right, tackle Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Ikaika Woolsey during the opening game of the U.S. College football season in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. The last American football of any kind played in Sydney was an NFL preseason game at the Olympic stadium that attracted 73,000 spectators in 1999.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
California defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
California defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
California defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
California defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
California defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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