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The New York Giants Might Have 2023’s Tariq Woolen

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To build a consistent winner in the NFL, hitting on draft picks is the most important task that any general manager has to ace. A few bad picks won’t set a franchise back, but consistently missing every year will have teams hiring new GMs and rebuilding from scratch. Rounds one through three of the NFL Draft have all of the glitz and glamour in prime time. However, day three of the draft (rounds 4-7) doesn’t get all of the attention, but they’re the most important. It’s how a team is truly built for sustained success, and Tre Hawkins III might be one of those building blocks.

A sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hawkins has been turning heads in both training camp and the preseason and is already first-team reps at outside cornerback. In two preseason games so far, Hawkins has not been a liability in the passing game or against the run, almost assuring him of a starting role. These developments ring a bell from last year when 5th round cornerback Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks started all 17 games, intercepted six passes, and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The question now becomes, can Tre Hawkins III have the same impact?

Tre Hawkins III Can Be 2023’s Tariq Woolen

Getting the above praise from his coaches will only boost a young players confidence to go out there and perform at the highest level possible. No player is more on an island than a cornerback in the NFL, and having that confidence to be able to cover the opposing wide receiver week in and week out will pay dividends to himself, but more importantly, the team. With their first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Giants selected cornerback Deonte Banks out of Maryland. This now leaves two rookie cornerbacks in their starting defense, prompting veteran starting cornerback Adoree Jackson to move inside to the slot corner position.

The Level of Competition Argument is Null

Tariq Woolen slid down to the 5th round in the 2022 NFL Draft for a few reasons. One of them was that he was relatively raw and new to the cornerback position and needed seasoning. The other reason was the level of competition he played at in the American Athletic Conference at UTSA. Woolen quickly proved that he belonged among the best young cornerbacks in the league. Level of competition aside, that looks like a top-five player out of the SEC that had no business dropping into the 5th round. The movements, reactions, and point of attack are on full display in those reps. Simply put, don’t target him.

Hawkins, while not new to the position, faces similar questions regarding the level of competition he played at. Old Dominion University is not known to produce elite NFL talent, so the jump to the NFL remains steep for a day three pick. Judging by his latest game, he was a blanket on every wide receiver he covered, much like Woolen showed in his debut campaign.

The Schedule Is Not Friendly

It will be baptism by fire for the small school kid trying to make a name for himself in the league. The lineup of wide receivers that Tre Hawkins III will be asked to cover in the first few weeks of the season isn’t a walk in the park by any stretch. The likes of Brandin Cooks, Rondale Moore, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Lockett, Jaylen Waddle, etc. all present different and unique challenges for the rookie sixth rounder. Hawkins III has the opportunity in front of him to be as impactful as Tariq Woolen was in his first season. Only time will tell.

Main Photo: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports

 

Steven Sanchez

Steven Sanchez

Steven Sanchez is a Writer/Contributor for lastwordonsports.com. Steven previously wrote for East West Football Network, covering betting odds, league schedules, and team by team breakdowns. He was born in Queens, NY, but currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and three-month-old son. Steven is also tri-lingual in Spanish, English, and Football lingo.

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