Jaylinn Hawkins is an Atlanta Falcon!

Mocked later than this in most drafts ahead of this weekend, Jaylinn Hawkins certainly deserved to hear his name called during the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Atlanta Falcons made it so with the 134th pick on Saturday.

Hawkins joins his teammate Ashtyn Davis in the NFL with his fourth-round selection. He also joins fellow rookie CB A.J. Terrell who was selected in the first round out of Clemson. The Falcons like to rotate their defensive backs and have Keanu Neal, RIcardo Allen and Damontae Kazee who have each spent their fair share of snaps at both safety spots over the past three seasons in Atlanta.

Either way, it seems that the Falcons had a much higher grade on Hawkins than most draft pundits as well as fellow NFL teams after they quickly moved to select him in the fourth round.

It’s an interesting fit for Hawkins and his 10 career interceptions as it seems the Falcons are rebuilding their defense with multiple selections on the defensive side of the ball so far. Head coach Dan Quinn is known for his defense and under his tutelage, perhaps Hawkins can see some extended playing time and blossom into whatever they think he can to warrant their grade on him.

Congrats, Jaylinn!