The New York Giants drafted Tre Hawkins in the sixth round of last year’s NFL Draft from Old Dominion University. When they entered training camp, Hawkins surprised quite a few with his play, which earned him first-team snaps and put him in line for a potential starting role, allowing then-defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to move Adoree’ Jackson to the slot.

But once the season started, Hawkins struggled, eventually losing first-team reps and being reduced to more of a special teams player until later in the season when he started to get sprinkled into the defense a bit more.

While the turn of events disappointed Hawkins, he held his head up high and didn’t give up on himself, noting that the expectations others had of him didn’t compare to his own expectations of himself.

“Honestly, I don’t know if it was a good or a bad thing. It’s just something that came with my journey,” a reflective Hawkins said when asked how that buzz shaped the lens through which his season is viewed. “I get it, but nobody has higher expectations for me than me. What everyone was seeing then, I saw way before them.”

Hawkins has the physical tools to be successful in the NFL. However, with his first professional season in the books, Hawkins aims to return next season more prepared for the mental aspect of playing in the National Football League. His rookie season taught him what many successful veterans learned early: preparation is essential.

“I think it’s more the mental part of the game, studying the game more, becoming more of an IQ player,” Hawkins said. “A lot of people are athletic in this league, but what separates you is how you study and your preparation.”

The Giants have more than a few questions that must be answered on both sides of the ball this offseason. With Adoree Jackson set to hit free agency–the Giants are unlikely to retain his services–the team will be looking for a CB2 to start opposite Deonte Banks at cornerback.

Regardless of how general manager Joe Schoen approaches the CB2 spot, Hawkins will take the lessons learned from a rocky rookie season and look to take his game to another level next season.

“Even in my losses, I feel like there are always lessons,” Hawkins said. “It was a roller-coaster ride — lots of ups, lots of downs. It was a lot of little things [rolled] into one. I was trying to go through any adversity that came my way and finish strong. It is hard staying focused [when not playing], but it’s my job and a task that I have to do.”