Hawkins has announced his retirement from the NFL, the Patriots' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins signed with the Patriots in May and had a chance to stick with the team as depth wideout, but the 31-year-old indicated Tuesday that his "body just didn't respond the way it should" as he prepared for training camp. The 5-foot-7, 180-pounder saw action in 16 contests for the Browns in 2016, en route to hauling in 33 passes for 324 yards and three TDs.

Hawkins signed a one-year contract with the Patriots on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins was released by the Browns back in February after spending the past three years in Cleveland. In 2016, he totaled 324 yards and three touchdowns on 33 receptions while playing in all 16 games. With New England, the veteran wideout will likely be competing with Malcolm Mitchell, Matthew Slater, and Devin Street for one of the final wide receiver roster spots.

Hawkins was released by the Browns on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins' release will save Cleveland $1.8 million in cap space heading into free agency, where they'll seek to retain the services of top wideout Terrelle Pryor. After posting a career-high 63 catches for 824 yards upon signing with the Browns in 2014, Hawkins has seen his role diminished since, culminating in just 33 grabs for 324 yards and three scores this past season. Soon to be 31 years old, the shifty veteran wideout will now seek to land elsewhere ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Hawkins snagged all five of his targets for nine yards during Sunday's season finale versus the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins' last catch of the season went for a loss of 14 yards, so his nine yards on five catches is a bit misleading. Overall for the season, though, it was a quiet year for the 30-year-old veteran. He found the end zone twice but hauled in just 33 catches for 324 yards. Hawkins is under contract until 2018, but the Browns may cut him loose and turn to their plethora of young receivers.

Hawkins secured one of two targets for 21 yards during Saturday's win over the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins hasn't seen many throws his way during the 2016 campaign, and the same could be said for Saturday. He was targeted just twice, bringing his season total to 49. He has very little fantasy value going forward, especially if he remains with the Browns, as rookies Rashard Higgins and Ricardo Louis figure to battle for the team's No. 3 receiver in 2017.

Hawkins secured his only target for 33 yards in Sunday's tilt with the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

Even though Hawkins caught just one pass, he still finished with more receiving yards than Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor (finger), highlighting Cleveland's offensive woes. The sixth-year man out of Toledo played just 52 percent of the snaps versus the Bills and doesn't figure to see his role increase any more in 2016.

Hawkins secured his only target for four yards in Sunday's matchup with the Bengals.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old veteran has just two catches for 24 yards over his last four contests and is really nothing more than the fourth or fifth receiving option for Cleveland. He does have three touchdowns but hasn't found pay dirt since Week 8.

Hawkins failed to catch any of his two targets Sunday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

For the second time in the last three contests, Hawkins finished without a reception. The 30-year-old was on the field for just 40% of the team's offensive snaps and is nothing more than an afterthought receiving option.

Hawkins caught his lone target for 20 yards against the Steelers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins was on the field for 40 of the Browns' offensive snaps, but he failed to make his mark. He has just three receptions for 33 yards over his last three games and can't be trust in almost all fantasy formats.

Hawkins was excused from Monday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hawkins and the Browns played last Thursday against the Ravens, so their practice Monday was a rare session that he was allowed to miss. In advance of this weekend's matchup versus the Steelers, Hawkins will hope to get more involved offensively, as he did not catch a pass last time out.