Pro Football Focus called Bills TE Jackson Hawes a “secret superstar,” and honestly, after his 2025 rookie season, it’s tough to argue. This guy, a fifth-round pick, absolutely balled out, emerging as a vital piece in one of the NFL’s most unique and effective offenses. We’re talking about a scheme that left defensive coordinators scratching their heads, and Hawes was right in the thick of it.
Buffalo’s Power Play
Buffalo’s offensive strategy last season was nothing short of brilliant, leaning hard into heavy personnel groupings, especially with multiple tight ends. You gotta love to see a team commit to something so effectively. When they lined up with three tight ends, what they officially call 13 personnel, the Bills were straight-up dominant. They ranked second in the entire league in EPA per play for those formations, clocking in at a ridiculous 15.7. Only the Los Angeles Rams managed to be more efficient. Even crazier, Buffalo used two tight ends more than any other team in football. This isn’t just some random experiment either. You don’t get that kind of production and usage without having legit talent at the position. It forces the team to carry multiple top-flight options, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because they *have* multiple excellent options that they choose to forgo spread formations. And that’s exactly where Hawes steps in, proving he’s far from just another guy on the roster.
Rookie Year Explosion
Hawes, rocking number 85, was a fifth-round draft choice out of Georgia Tech in the 2025 NFL Draft, 173rd overall. He checks all the boxes physically at 6’4” and 253 pounds. What a rookie year he had! He played a whopping 43% of the Bills’ offensive snaps during the regular season, and get this, he even made eight starts in his very first year. Talk about making the most of your opportunities! When Dalton Kincaid was sidelined with various injury woes, the door swung wide open for Hawes, and he ran right through it. While offensive lineman Alec Anderson served as an extra blocker in 2024, he wasn’t catching passes. Hawes is a legit receiving threat. He might not be the same caliber receiver as Kincaid or Dawson Knox, but defenses absolutely have to account for him in the passing game. He snagged 16 passes for 187 yards and three crucial touchdowns on just 19 targets. That’s efficiency, baby! He even played in both of Buffalo’s playoff games, though he wasn’t targeted in either. Pro Football Focus didn’t just call him a ‘secret superstar’ for nothing; he earned an 83.1 overall grade. That grade was second among *all* rookies in the league, and even more impressive, it was second only to Josh Allen on Buffalo’s entire offense. Think about that for a second! This kid, on his rookie contract, is already a cornerstone. He’s entering the second year of a four-year pact worth over $4.5 million, with a super manageable $1,085,054 cap hit for 2026. If he’s released, Buffalo faces a $240,162 dead-cap charge.
What’s Next for the Bills’ TE Trio
So what’s next for Jackson Hawes? He’s only 25, turning 26 in December, and he’s back with Kincaid and Knox, ready to keep that three-headed tight end monster rolling for Buffalo. You gotta think the Bills will keep leaning into what worked last year, especially with a talent like Hawes. He’s clearly a huge part of that plan, bringing both elite blocking and a surprising receiving punch. If he keeps performing at this level, the league won’t be able to call him a ‘secret’ much longer. This guy is the real deal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
Leave a Reply