The Baltimore Ravens’ free agency class through one week is headlined by their blockbuster signing of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Along with Hendrickson, there’s been a cluster of solid signings who should play key roles in 2026.
While the Ravens have lost 11 free agents thus far, the signings they’ve made fill in those roster holes nicely. With new head coach Jesse Minter leading the charge, he’s bringing in his own group of guys. In that group, there’s been a heavy emphasis placed on defense.
One of Baltimore’s most underrated signings has been safety Jaylinn Hawkins, and according to Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus (PFF), it has been one of the best moves of free agency. It could even form the best safety groups in the NFL. McGuinness wrote:
“Hawkins broke out during the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl, posting a career-high 74.9 PFF overall grade while earning a 74.7-plus PFF grade in both coverage and run defense. With his contract coming in way below projected value, he forms arguably the league’s best safety room with Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks.”
PFF believed Hawkins would sign a three-year, $33 million contract. The Ravens got him for two years, $10 million.
Baltimore Ravens set to build elite safety group with Jaylinn Hawkins addition
After losing both Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington in free agency, Baltimore had to address the safety position. Sure, they already have two studs in Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, but they use Hamilton like a chess piece. They needed someone to play alongside Starks, and Jaylinn Hawkins is a really good pivot.
You could make the case that Hawkins is far better than Gilman and Washington. The move has the potential to be a significant upgrade.
In his sixth NFL season in 2025, Hawkins had a MAJOR breakout. He snatched a career-high four interceptions, and his PFF numbers are a joy to look at. He had an 82.4 PFF grade (fifth-best for safeties), a 79.0 coverage grade (eighth-best), and an 87.1 run defense grade (second-best). That sounds like a pretty nice piece to add next to Hamilton and Starks.
When you have Hamilton, your safety is already considered among the league’s best. He’s just that good. However, now Baltimore adds one of the better safeties from last year in Hawkins. Throw in Starks, who had a solid rookie year and could be in for bigger and better things in year two, and you have a lethal safety trio.
Seeing that talented group on his depth chart, Jesse Minter should have a massive grin on his face right now. The 42-year-old first-year head coach is one of the best defensive minds in football and will be calling the plays. The possibilities of what he will be able to do with that trio are truly endless. Adding Hawkins is a really good start as the Ravens look to reform their defense in 2026.