Hawkins is new, so of course he isn't a flying six.
You know I like Hawkins... but honestly I do think he's weaker than flying 6
I simply think Kaido crew cares more about strength than anything else!
Even in kaido's introduction... it felt like that... the strong lives.. the weak dies... I feel Hawkins would have taken the position if his skills impressed Kaido MORE...
Now.. there is a potential that Hawkins held back and kept some of his strength hidden in order to turn on them later... and him holding back kept him from reaching Flying 6
HOWEVER... from looks of it... from his dialog with Law... he seemed focused on serving Kaido with all his might cause he saw no chance of Kaido taken down by anyone soon...
Which is why I think he didn't hide his strength...
Now... I personally do not believe someone like Kidd or Luffy if they agreed to join Kaido... that they will end up as "regular headliners"
Even Kaido himself despite fucking them up... he clearly stated that he will try to break luffy's spirit and make him join him... cause he would make a "formidable soldier" in his ranks...
NOW.. a statement like this... tells me that Kaido after he breaks someone spirit... he makes them join and ranks them based on strength.. that's how I honestly feel... and personally I think Hawkins faired lower than flying 6 in Kaido's perspective...