The Washington Commanders announced they planned to release veteran cornerback Tre Hawkins this week. According to the NFL transaction wire, the Commanders made the move official Wednesday.
Washington waived the defensive back with an injury settlement.
On Sunday, Commanders announced signing center Trey Hill as a corresponding move. In a bigger blockbuster move this week, the Commanders also added wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the roster.
The New York Giants selected Hawkins at No. 209 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He received praise for his athleticism during the draft process three years ago.
“Hawkins will be a project for teams interested in press corners with above-average athletic traits,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He’s given up a lot of touchdowns, but those issues were often due to a lack of awareness and ball skills at the finish line.
“He showed off speed, suddenness and explosive leaping ability at his pro day, but those elements don’t show up on tape often enough due to a lack of instincts as a playmaker. There are some tools to tinker with, but Hawkins will need to make significant strides in his development to make a team.
Commanders Make Releasing DB Tre Hawkins Official
GettyThe Washington Commanders officially released defensive back Tre Hawkins on Wednesday.
Washington announced its decision to cut ties with Hawkins on Sunday. But it didn’t appear on the league’s transaction wire until Wednesday.
Hawkins played his first two seasons with the Giants. He actually appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, starting three of them. Hawkins posted 35 combined tackles and one pass defense.
Since then, he’s only played in four games.
The Giants waived Hawkins in early September last year. The Commanders signed the defensive back to their practice squad roughly two months later in November.
Hawkins played in one game for Washington as a practice squad elevation. He only received two special teams snaps of playing time. Hawkins didn’t play on defense.
The Commanders brought back the defensive back on a futures deal this offseason. But once healthy, he will now have to look for a new opportunity.
Commanders Other Roster Moves
GettyThe Washington Commanders signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Wednesday.
It’s easy to overlook the Commanders dropping Hawkins. The team had much bigger news with Diggs at receiver after wrapping up roughly the first week of training camp.
Diggs isn’t the same player he was in his prime. But he’s an upgrade over just about every receiver on the Commanders current roster. Diggs should start opposite Terry McLaurin to finally give Washington two legit receiving targets for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Last season with the New England Patriots, Diggs had 85 catches, 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was the leading receiver on the AFC champions.
From 2020-23, Diggs was one of the top wideouts in the league. He made first-team All-Pro in 2020 with a league-leading 127 catches and 1,535 receiving yards. He eclipsed the 1,150 receiving yard mark each of the next three years as well.
Diggs made the Pro Bowl every year during that span.
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