The New England Patriots lost starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins to the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year deal. The 2025 season was among Hawkins’ best in his career, logging 71 tackles, 6 pass deflections and 4 interceptions.
Losing Hawkins creates a gap on the defensive side of the ball for New England. With the 2026 NFL Draft in less than two weeks, the Pats can help fill the gap in the secondary.
Pats Meet with Big 10 Safety
GettyThe Patriots could get some help in the defensive back room
The NFL Draft is approaching, with teams bringing in prospects before the April 15th deadline for 30 visits. New England has 11 picks in the upcoming draft, leaving the team with more than enough space to bring in a safety.
According to insider Jordan Schultz, the New England Patriots have met with Michigan State safety Malik Spencer on an NFL 30 visit.
Spencer, who spent his entire collegiate career with the Spartans, is coming off his best season. As Schultz noted, the safety logged 52 tackles, 2 pass deflections and an interception in his final collegiate season. In total, Spencer recorded 173 tackles, 13 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and 2 sacks throughout his four seasons in the NCAA.
The Patriots have eight Day 3 selections, having plenty of opportunities to take the Spartan defender and add him to the squad. In last year’s draft, the Pats took a safety on Day 3 and what a selection he turned out to be.
Craig Woodson started 15 of 17 games for New England in his rookie season next to Jaylinn Hawkins. The rookie registered 79 tackles and 3 pass deflections in the Super Bowl squad.
If the Patriots were to take Malik Spencer, he could have the same start to his career as Woodson. But if taken, he will likely be a rotational depth piece after New England brought in an All-Pro safety in free agency.
“Spencer profiles as a versatile defensive back with the potential to contribute in multiple roles. His combination of size, tackling ability, and coverage skills make him an intriguing developmental prospect for teams employing hybrid defensive schemes. Defensive coordinators will value his positional flexibility and experience at both safety and cornerback,” K.C. Martinez of NFL Draft Buzz wrote about the player.
“At the next level, Spencer’s skill set translates best to a strong safety or box defender role with the ability to contribute in sub-packages. His aptitude in run support and playmaking ability in zone coverage suggest he could thrive in a system that utilizes safeties in multiple ways.”
Patriots Add All-Pro Safety
GettyMike Vrabel will reunite with a familiar face
While adding Malik Spencer adds depth to the safety group, the New England Patriots added Kevin Byard on a one-year deal to start alongside Craig Woodson.
Byard played under head coach Mike Vrabel when he was HC of the Tennessee Titans, having his best seasons under him.
“I just think the culture of this team, this organization, is obviously a winning culture. The pieces that they have in place, whether it’s the quarterback, the secondary, all those things. It makes it very attractive for any free agent to want to come here,” Byard said, via the Patriots.
If the Patriots were to add Malik Spencer, he would be under the wing of All-Pro Kevin Byard and become a key piece of the Patriots’ secondary for the future.
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