Hawes' 1.82 yards per route run hints at Year 2 receiving breakout with expanded snap share.

Hawes is a Year 2 tight end who quietly averaged 1.82 yards per route run on 102 routes as a rookie—an elite-level receiving efficiency metric despite the small sample size. He played 43% of snaps in his rookie season and could eclipse 50% in 2026 even if Dalton Kincaid stays healthy. Zachariason expects Hawes to demonstrate athleticism and sure-handedness in camp to garner more looks in the pass game, mostly underneath. Hawes' presence won't telegraph play intentions as much as Kincaid, and his growth potential resides in the receiving game rather than blocking, where his true strength won't be fully displayed in training camp.