New York Giants Draft Profile: CB Tre Hawkins III

Here is Nick Falato's scouting report on Giants sixth-round pick Tre Hawkins III.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
May 3, 2023 10:29 AM EDT

In this story:

Tre Hawkins III, CB

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 188 lbs.
Class: 5th-Year-Senior
School: Old Dominion
Age: 22 (August 1st, 2000)

Combine Measurements

Arm length: 32⅛”
Hand size: 9”
40-yard-dash: 4:40
10-yard-split: 1.52
Vertical jump: 37.5”
Broad jump: 10’9”
Short-shuttle: 4.22
Three-cone: 6.74
Bench press: 17

Hawkins III started his college career at Trinity Valley Community College in 2018 with 24 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, a forced fumble, and five passes defended through two seasons with the Cardinals. He transferred to Old Dominion for the 2020 season, which was canceled due to COVID-19.

Notables

Hawkins started all 25 games for the Monarchs and set a school record for tackles at the cornerback position in 2021. Hawkins finished his two seasons at Old Dominion with 133 tackles (he had 76 in his record-setting 2021 season), five for a loss, three forced fumbles, fourteen passes defended, and two interceptions, as well as a blocked field goal.

Hawkins was penalized six times in 2021 but only received one penalty in 2022. He still plays undisciplined at times, but it’s easy to fall in love with his size, speed, effort, and demeanor. The Giants hosted Hawkins for a Top-30 visit and selected him at pick No. 209 in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

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Strengths

Excellent height/length -- looks the part
Lean muscled player with twitch
Impressive athlete with excellent short-area quickness
Very explosive player - moves very smoothly
Great long speed to carry vertical routes
Functional hip fluidity and balance in transitions -- doesn’t lose much momentum
Solid man covering defender
A lot of experience in press man - elite physicality
Solid overall job staying in phase at all three levels of the field
Very good recovery ability to close width and get into phase
Plant & drive from depth is explosive - good angles to the football
Flashed high-level understanding of route concepts (interception on TE Leak vs. Marshall)
Harrassing temperament at the catch point - dislodges a lot of football
Solid overall job to locate the football mid-air and knock it down
Very good overall tackler - elite strength when tackling
Wraps up low - excellent play strength for a cornerback
A wrecking ball at defensive back
Hits with the force of Thor’s hammer
Elite competitive and physical toughness
Competes through the whistle (could be a negative)
Plausible his best football is ahead of him

Weaknesses

Sub-190 pounds
Footwork at the LOS in press can improve
Has false steps in press on tape
Caught lunging on the LOS with his jam - must connect his feet, punch, and eyes
Speed receiver ate into his cushion from off, putting him in a disadvantageous position
Struggled with speed receivers: Jamari Thrash (GA State); Jaylin Layne (MTSU); Christian Wells (App State)
Inconsistent ball location ability on vertical plane with quicker dart passes
Could still improve his overall eye discipline in zone coverage
Frustrating missed tackles on tape
Lost contain responsibilities on a few occasions - ran himself out of a few plays
Could be a more overall disciplined player
Toes the penalty line when hitting players on the sideline

Summary

Tre Hawkins III only had two years at Conference USA, but his traits are tantalizing and a perfect gamble for round six of the draft. He has starting NFL size/speed/length with the temperament of a disturbed wasps’ nest and excellent force behind his hits. Hawkins is a very tough and intimidating presence, and he was certainly on first-team All-Chirp -- he is very confident in his abilities.

He still needs development, and Jerome Henderson could be the perfect teacher for Hawkins. Eliminating false steps and lunges in press will allow him to transition more smoothly and consistently.

Hawkins is a smooth athlete overall, but he was beaten a handful of times on tape by speed receivers at the Conference USA level. His floor is a special teams’ asset, and his ceiling is very high. Hawkins was the perfect gamble at a priority position with upside late on day three, who projects well in Wink Martindale’s defense.