Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) celebrates a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 3. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bills' rookie Jackson Hawes garners teammate endorsement, eye-popping PFF ranking

Originally posted on Buffalo Bills on SI
By Richie Whitt | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 12:53 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills are off to a 3-0 start and are heavy favorites to beat the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Highmark Stadium to remain undefeated. Josh Allen is again playing at an MVP level, they have a new 41-year-old hero in kicker Matt Prater and coach Sean McDermott's receiver-by-committee is producing positive results.

The vibes are so good in western New York that they're even turning back the clock for offensive lineman Dion Dawkins.

#Bills rookie TE Jackson Hawes has been a big talking point this week and his stock may be soaring even more after this endorsement from Dion Dawkins

Question from @MadGlab about Dalton Kincaid's blocking ability sets it up#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/FVtwgEr5mq
— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) September 25, 2025

The four-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman met the media Thursday in Orchard Park and was asked about the impressive blocking of rookie tight end Jackson Hawes. How good is it? According to Dawkins, it's contagious to the point of working as a time machine.

Asked about the blocking of tight end Dalton Kincaid, Dawkins eventually credited his rookie teammate.

"Dalton is good, but I think having [Hawes] around makes everybody block better. Even us," Dawkins said of the offensive line. "We'll look up and he's taking a defensive end from here to there. Not a skinny guy, a defensive end. I think everybody on this team is making everybody better. I'm enjoying it. Year Nine feels more like Year Five."

Hawes, the fifth-round draft choice, has been such a pleasant surprise that he's the No. 1-rated tight end in all of the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. In addition to his blocking, he caught a touchdown in the Bills' last win over the Miami Dolphins.