The Tennessee Titans seem to be snake bit when it comes to the wide receiver position. Outside of Derrick Mason, I dare say they’ve never had a true #1 wide receiver. Of course, we’re all hoping that changes with the development of Corey Davis and the addition of A.J. Brown. But, so far, though many have come through the doors at Baptist Sports Park, no one seems to stick. To say the receiving corps in the mid to late 2000s was a major question mark would be an understatement. Specifically, that spell after Drew Bennett left in 2006 and Kenny Britt was given the keys to the kingdom in 2009 felt particularly dry. One of the more intriguing prospects to come out of those few years, though, was former Cal receiver Lavelle Hawkins.
The Titans tried to make Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones #1 guys. It didn’t pan out. They also had that colossally bad 2007 class, during which they invested picks in highly touted Paul Williams, Chris Davis, and Joel Filani, all of whom fizzled out pretty quickly. Then, came Hawkins in 2008.
Lavelle Hawkins was the only wide receiver the Titans drafted in 2008. Fans seemed to look at his drafting with reasonable optimism. I remember that season being pretty close to our breaking point as fans. We were all thinking, “MY GOD CAN YOU PLEASE GET A #1” and they would a year later (in Britt – don’t @ me…he had real #1 potential).
At Cal, Hawkins was a two-time second team All-Pac 12 recipient (2006 and 2007). He posted 136 receptions for 1,748 yards, and 12 touchdowns as a Golden Bear. I specifically remember Mel Kiper, Jr. saying, “Vince Young is going to LOVE his new toy” on the night he was drafted. The Titans selected Hawkins in the 4th round that year, using the 126th overall pick to get him. Keep in mind, he’s the only receiver they take in that draft.
So, Hawkins came to the Titans in 2008 with that reasonable optimism – after that 2007 class, none of us were stupid enough to think that the Titans had any inkling as to how to draft a receiver. But, at the same time, it was hard not to get excited about Hawkins’ skill set. He was good, and he certainly had the opportunity to make an impact on offense and on special teams.
The Titans rolled the dice on a lot of guys in the mid to late 2000s. A lot of ’em were busts, but Hawkins was good enough to stick to this roster for five seasons. He never became the “new toy” for VY that Kiper thought he’d be. His best season came in 2011, when he caught 47 balls for 470 yards and his lone NFL touchdown. He was targeted 77 times that season – the heaviest workload he’d ever see in the NFL. That season was effectively his best chance to clinch a featured role in the Titans offense, but it just wasn’t to be. He finished his career with 71 catches for 771 yards.
That’s what stands out to me about Hawkins, though. Of all those guys the Titans signed and drafted during that window, I liked his potential the most. You can’t help but wonder how differently his career would’ve gone with some healthier competition at the position and stability at the quarterback position (keep in mind, his tenure with the Titans was at the height of the VY-Kerry Collins flip flopping).
He went on to play for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers throughout the summer of 2013 before sticking on the San Diego Chargers roster for the year. He landed a gig for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, but when he didn’t get one of the final spots on the roster, he left the NFL. In 2015, he wrapped up his football career playing for the BC Lions in the CFL.
Guys like him aren’t often celebrated, but man, having a seven year career in the NFL is special. People are quick to say he never amounted to anything with the Titans – all potential he never saw. But, the fact that most players don’t even see their 4th season speaks volumes to the guy’s work ethic and ability. Nothing but love for Hawk.
Career stat line:
- 71 receptions, 771 receiving yards, one touchdown
- 22 kick returns, 511 kick return yards
- 93 total touches, 1,282 total yards, one total touchdown
TENNESSEE TITANS THROWBACK THURSDAY ARCHIVES
Drew Bennett
Keith Bulluck
Eddie George
Albert Haynesworth
Chris Henry
Chris Hope
Brandon Jones
Derrick Mason
Steve McNair
Samari Rolle
LenDale White
Vince Young
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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