Jaylinn Hawkins could become a vocal leader in the Ravens' secondary

Communication is going to be one of the biggest parts of Baltimore’s defense under Jesse Minter. With all the disguises, rotations and moving pieces happening before the snap, the safeties are expected to function almost like quarterbacks for the defense. That responsibility is something Jaylinn Hawkins embraces.

Could Hawkins become one of the key communicators in Baltimore’s secondary this season?

During his appearance on The Collective podcast, Hawkins explained why communication and pre-snap recognition have always been major parts of his game.

“I mean, it’s always as a safety, it’s always communication pre-snap. You know what I’m saying? It starts with us. I feel like um that’s something I’ve always been, you know, good at and that’s something I pride myself on is my communication and pre-snap recognition. And I feel like that’s something that required of you playing safety in this defense… You got to communicate… So, I feel comfortable in that role.”

That answer helps explain why the Ravens targeted Hawkins in free agency. Baltimore already has plenty of athleticism and versatility in the secondary, and adding another experienced safety capable of organizing the defense before the snap could make the unit even stronger. For Hawkins, communication is more than just part of the position — it's one of the foundations of playing safety at a high level. Baltimore's defense relies heavily on disguises, adjustments, and pre-snap movement, placing enormous responsibility on the secondary to keep everyone aligned. Hawkins already sounds comfortable embracing that challenge, and his ability to communicate quickly and recognize formations could make him an important piece of the Ravens' defense heading into 2026.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens safety sees communication as key under Jesse Minter