Hawkins will handle backup safety duties while primarily contributing on special teams. He earned a 69.5 PFF special teams grade last year, though he does not return punts nor kicks.

Hawkins was primarily a special teams contributor for Atlanta to start the season. He saw a handful of defensive snaps in each of his first three games but has only played on defense one time in the past three weeks. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers were not the only team to put in a claim on Hawkins.

Hawkins was a 2020 fourth-round pick by the Falcons, starting 16 games in 2022. He has four career interceptions and was in the last year of his rookie contract, but Hawkins has now been cut loose by Atlanta.

Hawkins (6'0/208) was a highly recruited wide receiver in high school but transitioned to Cal's secondary after a redshirt year. He was a three-year starter and earned an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a redshirt senior. He has racked up 10 interceptions over the last three seasons, but he is a below-average tackler and makes too many gambles for a free safety. Hawkins was a projected undrafted free agent and The Athletic's Dane Brugler's 30th ranked safety in the 2020 NFL Draft.