When the Buffalo Bills used a fifth-round pick on Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes this past April, I was very confused about this pick. They had Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, and at the time, Zach Davidson. With losing Quintin Morris, maybe I saw why drafting Hawes was necessary, but it was also very confusing.
He was pinned as a blocking tight end which is not a bad thing to have, but the Bills had other needs that they could have addressed. However, through three games of the regular season, Hawes is looking like a major steal at this point.
Not only was he recognized as one of Pro Football Focus’ best players early on, but he’s also gaining the respect from teammates, which is what Sean McDermott talked about on Wednesday with the media.
Sean McDermott praises Jackson Hawes for early success
According to Sean McDermott, per Alex Brasky, Hawes has reportedly “made the most of his opportunities” and that “he’s got great leadership at that position [tight end]”. McDermott talked more about the relationship within the tight room with Knox, Kincaid, and Hawes, specifically about how Hawes “has a great amount of respect for those guys and they are teaching him the way.”
Sean McDermott on Bills rookie TE Jackson Hawes and his relationship with fellow TEs Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox: “He’s made the most of the opportunities. I think he’s got great leadership at that position… That helps. It appears to me that he has a great amount of respect… pic.twitter.com/lsl8DQizBG
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) September 24, 2025
Hawes has 3 catches (off of 3 targets) for 39 yards and one touchdown that he scored in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins. He’s been solid in blocking and he is showing that he can also be a weapon for Josh Allen. So far, he is looking like Buffalo’s best rookie from this past draft, even more than someone like Deone Walker.
The Bills have shown that they can draft late value and Hawes might be the next example. Despite the main theme for them was drafting heavy on defense, we can start a conversation on how a blocking tight end could ultimately be the best pick the Bills made this past draft.