Kyle Hamilton has become one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft class. Seen as a prime candidate to fall down the board, the former Notre Dame safety has been the source of speculation regarding his ultimate landing spot in the first round. Monday, he is meeting with the Commanders, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
While some have had – and in some cases, still have – Hamilton ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the class, there has been a growing sense he will be waiting longer to hear his name called than the top defensive ends, tackles and, potentially, quarterbacks. That could land him in range of the Commanders, who hold the 11th pick.
Washington currently has Bobby McCain, Troy Apke, Kamren Curl and Jeremy Reaves at the top of the depth chart at the safety position. Between the financial statuses of those four – none are under contract beyond the 2023 season – and the team’s disappointing defensive performance last year, ranking 29th against the pass, Hamilton would be worth consideration for that pick.
Hamilton had a highly productive three-year career with the Fighting Irish. He totaled 138 tackles and eight interceptions, demonstrating positional flexibility and leadership qualities along the way. His testing numbers, season-ending knee injury and overall athletic profile, however, have led to a belief he could drop to at least the second half of the first round. He has visited the Lions, though there is currently no expectation he would be considered with the No. 2 pick.
Regardless of where Hamilton ends up, there will at least have been a number of teams which have done their homework on him. Given their location on the board, Washington will have a number of intriguing decisions to make, including whether Hamilton will be worth a top-15 selection, should he make it that far.
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