Patriots add UDFA safety following free agent workout
The Patriots had their full depth in the secondary for the first time this summer on Monday, with Jonathan Jones, Jabrill Peppers, and Myles Bryant all practicing for the first time this camp. Following Monday’s practice the team added to that depth further by signing safety Brad Hawkins following a free agent workout. PFF’s Doug Kyed was the first to report the signing.
Hawkins, a rookie out of Michigan, went undrafted this past spring before signing with the Falcons. He was then released by Atlanta last month following spring practices.
In 14 games with the Wolverines last year, Hawkins recorded 60 tackles with four going for a loss. He also broke up four passes and forced two fumbles. In total, he played in 56 games and started 31 over five years in Ann Arbor.
At 6-foot-1, 221 pounds, Hawkins mainly played deep safety for Michigan. However, he does have experience playing in the box as well as slot corner.
In New England, Hawkins joins a safety group that is one of the deepest on the roster. Devin McCourty returns as the starting deep safety, while Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips took most of the reps in the box last year. That strong safety spot may get even more competitive with the signing of Jabrill Peppers and emergence of 2021 sixth-round draft pick Joshuah Bledsoe.
Hawkins wasn’t the only defensive back to get a workout in Foxborough on Monday. The team also brought in Devin Hafford of Tarleton State, Daniel Wright of Alabama, and Jalen Elliott Notre Dame.
Hafford already had a brief stint with the Patriots – he was signed as a UDFA after the draft but released before spring practices. Wright, also a UDFA, stands out as a fit due to the Alabama connection and his special teams experience.
Elliott is the only non-rookie of the group he was signed by the Lions as a UDFA in 2020 (when Matt Patricia was the head coach in Detroit) and played eight games for the team over two years.
To this point, none of those other three players have signed with the team. Following Hawkins’ signing, the team still has four open spots on the 90-man roster.
UPDATE: The Patriots also signed Jalen Elliott, who joined Hawkins at practice on Tuesday.
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Patriots training camp notebook: Full pads on Day 5
Second year jump underway?
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Christian Barmore (90) after a drill at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Monday saw most of the focus on the offensive and defensive linemen. No player from those groups stood out more than second-year defensive lineman Christian Barmore. Barmore won both of his one-on-one reps, and made some plays in 11-on-11 rushing drills as well.
There’s been plenty of buzz about Barmore taking a ‘Year 2 leap’ this season, with that potential progression being crucial to the Patriots’ defensive success. Nothing is ever conclusive after just one day, but he started on a very high level.
More contact
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones (52), linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (8) and linebackers coach Jerod Mayo Sr. (L to R) workout at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
While the focus was on the linemen, the biggest ‘contact football is back’ moment came from a running back and linebacker. During 11-on-11 drills, Rhamondre Stevenson burst through the line only to run right into Ja’Whaun Bentley’s waiting shoulder. Stevenson stumbled but stayed on his feet, although his helmet did pop off.
Stevenson and Bentley are two of the biggest hitters on their respective sides of the ball on the team. That sort of collision seemed to fire up the whole team.
Defense wins Day 1 up front
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots nose tackle Davon Godchaux (92) works with a training aid at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Overall, the defense gets the nod on the first day of full contact. The defensive line and linebackers were consistently getting a bigger push, and seemed to be playing with more purpose throughout the day. In addition to Barmore, Davon Godchaux had a couple of notable plays in that regard.
The defense usually has an advantage on the first day of full pads. It’s often a run-heavy day, so they know somewhat what to expect.
It’s not uncommon for these things to go back-and-forth as camp goes on. Tomorrow, one of the things to watch for will be if the offensive line punches back.
Malcolm Butler turns back the clock
Jun 8, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (4) during the New England Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Monday was the first day Malcolm Butler really stood out during camp. Butler didn’t play poorly through the first week, but Jalen Mills and Terrance Mitchell appeared to be ahead of him through four practices.
On Monday, Butler was tasked with covering some of the Patriots’ top receivers including DeVante Parker and Nelson Agholor. Butler made multiple stops, including recording a pair of PBUs.
One of those pass breakups came in the back corner of the end zone covering Parker on a fade – a play that had been seemingly unstoppable to start training camp. When Butler was playing at a high level during his first stint with the Patriots, one of his best traits was being able to high-point throws – doing a good job timing his jump, beating receivers to the ball, and using strong hands to knock passes away. That’s what he did on the Parker play. Given he’s coming off a year away from the game, seeing Butler make a play like that – something he did regularly half a decade ago – is an encouraging sign.
Mac bounces back
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Mac Jones was visibly frustrated after throwing an interception to end the Patriots’ last practice. He bounced back on Monday – but not right away.
Jones’ first pass of the day, coming in 11-on-11 drills, was picked off by Terrance Mitchell. Jones was trying to connect with with Tyquan Thornton over the middle, but Mitchell undercut the route.
After that, Jones seemed to lock in. He completed 10 of his next 14 passes in competitive drills. With the team stepping back from red zone reps and working more in the full field, Jones was able to spread the ball more, and threw deep a couple of times for the first time this camp.
For more on Jones’ day, Matt Dolloff has a full breakdown here.
Catch of the day
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)
There are a couple of candidates here, but let’s give today’s play of the day to rookie Tyquan Thornton. Early in practice, Thornton ran a go route against Joejuan Williams. Williams actually jammed Thornton good at the line, but Thornton recovered well enough to get into top gear. With that, he pulled away just enough for Jones to loft a rainbow throw over Williams, which Thornton reached out fully to grab.
This was one of the first time in camp we’ve gotten to see Thornton’s speed on display. It should give him a chance to be a difference-maker if he’s put in the right situations.
Taking attendance
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones (31) walks to the practice field for the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ secondary got a boost for Monday’s practice, getting three projected key players back. Cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant and safety Jabrill Peppers all practiced for the first time this summer. Jones and Peppers had been on PUP after missing most of last year due to injuries. Bryant was placed on NFI the day before camp.
Meanwhile, Brian Hoyer and Deatrich Wise remain out. Both haven’t practiced since late last week.
What’s next?
The Patriots’ practice fields behind Gillette Stadium before Day 1 of Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
The Patriots will be back in pads again tomorrow. That practice begins at 9:30 a.m. ET with the gates opening for fans at 8:00. Bill Belichick is scheduled to speak before practice.
