Bills' Ivy League Tight End Earns Josh Allen's Respect in Passing Game And Catan

As it turns out, he's much more than an elite blocker.

The Buffalo Bills used a 2025 fifth-round draft pick on tight end Jackson Hawes, who played his graduate season for Georgia Tech after earning his degree from Yale.

Despite lasting until midway through Day 3 Hawes, a two-time All-Ivy League honoree, was tabbed as the best blocking tight end in the draft class. When he arrived in Orchard Park as a rookie, his ability to displace defenders was immediately evident. We recently wrote about his affinity for padded practices.

"Jackson came in as maybe the most well-polished blocking tied in as a rookie that I've ever seen," said veteran tight ended Dawson Knox earlier this summer. "To do that as a rookie says a lot because you're going straight into drinking from a fire hose. Just trying to learn an entire offense in one year is something that's very hard to do, especially this offense."

Bills Jackson Hawes tries to block Keleki Latu during a drill at Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University on July 29, 2026 in Pittsford | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The 6-foot-4 Hawes did not miss a game in 2025, playing 43 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps throughout the regular season. Although he essentially served as a sixth offensive lineman at times, Hawes was able to keep the defense honest through his route-running ability.

"I think everybody thinks of Jackson as the blocking guy, the blocking tight end. He's got some real nuance to his receiving game. I think his hands are better than people give him credit for," said quarterback Josh Allen after Thursday's joint practice on the road against the Cleveland Browns.

Hawes, who made touchdown catches in three different games as a rookie, pulled in two scoring strikes against the Browns' defense. He capped the Bills' second 11-on-11 possession with a 25-yard touchdown over the middle.

Lord Jackson Hawes

In addition to proving he can hold his own on a NFL field, Hawes has become one of the top competitors in the Settlers of Catan — a strategy-focused board game that is a popular form of recreation for a number of Bills' players.

"He is the Lord of Catan from training camp, so there's that to him," said Allen. "He's got this, now, lord aura to him."

Even with the lord aura and a successful rookie season under his belt, Hawes hasn't become boastful.

"He stays quiet, he makes plays and he never complains about anything. He's just one of those guys you love having on the field with you because you know he's gonna give it his all," said Allen.

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