Patriots sign free agent WR Andrew Hawkins

The Patriots signed WR Andrew Hawkins to a one-year deal Wednesday. Hawkins had previously played for the Bengals (2011-2013) and the Browns (2014-2016). Per Kevin Pantra at NFL.com, Hawkins chose the New England’s offer over more lucrative options, saying, “it was all about winning for me at this point.”
Hawkins has run the majority of his routes from the slot in his career, lining up there on a career-high 88.3 percent of his routes 2016. His catch rate from the slot has been above 65 percent for the past two seasons.
Hawkins’ highest PFF overall grade of 83.1 came in his first season with the Browns in 2014. He had a career-high 63 receptions and 824 yards that year. He’ll look to improve upon his 60.0 overall grade from the 2016 season.
Hawkins joins a loaded Patriots WR group, with notable depth among slot WRs. Danny Amendola (88.7 percent snaps in the slot) and Julian Edelman (53.5 percent) spent the biggest percentage of their time there, while Chris Hogan (37.2 percent) and Brandin Cooks (37 percent) are no strangers to the alignment either. Hawkins will also go from having six different QBs over three years in Cleveland to 2016’s highest-graded QB in Tom Brady.