Jackson Hawes

Hawes brings some needed bully-ball to Buffalo's flexible tight-end room, but he is more than an extra lineman. His efficient receiving production hints at a bigger role when defenses overplay the block.

Strengths: Point-of-attack blocking, catch efficiency, toughness, size and short-yardage utility.

Weaknesses: Still developing as a route runner and has less target volume than Buffalo's top two tight ends.

Hawes had a sneaky useful rookie year: every game, eight starts and three touchdowns on a low-volume role. He looks like the kind of tight end who can keep an offense structurally honest by blocking, then punish a defense that loses him near the goal line. A five feels right because the foundation is there. He does not need to become a featured receiver; he needs to keep becoming dependable in the hard-to-notice parts of the job.

Strengths: He brings real size, early starting experience and a willingness to handle blocking responsibilities. Hawes has already shown usable red-zone awareness and can contribute without demanding a large target share.

Weaknesses: His receiving production remains modest, so he has not yet proved he can consistently separate or win as a primary option. Blocking technique must keep improving if he is going to earn heavy in-line snaps.