If it wasn’t clear in their standing as the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the trail of domination they’ve left on their schedule, the Baltimore Ravens are an incredibly talented football team. By many measures, they’re the best in the sport.
As such, the Houston Texans are underdogs on Saturday. It’s par for the course as a Wild Card team, especially with a rookie quarterback advancing through the playoffs for the first time. Baltimore will go as far as superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson takes them, but what will make this weekend Houston’s toughest challenge yet will be the Ravens’ elite defense.
One of the most dynamic parts of that unit is second-year safety Kyle Hamilton. Top prospect-turned-underdrafted stud, Hamilton is making good on his 14th-overall draft capital, one freakish play at a time.
He’s captured the attention of Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who spoke about the safety on Tuesday.
“Kyle, it seems like he’s always around the football,” Ryans said. “He’s always around the football, always attacking the football, rangy safety, they put him down in the box a little bit more.”
Hamilton has risen to the ranks of the elite quite quickly. By Pro Football Focus’ defense grade, he ranks seventh among qualified (about 575 snaps). His versatility is a massive part of his game, and one defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is not afraid to utilize. No safety grades out as a better pass rusher, and only two have a higher coverage grade.
He’s been put in position to win, aided by the talent around him and on the headset. Subsequently, he has turned Baltimore into a buzzsaw.
“I like the way they utilize Kyle and put him in positions to be successful,” Ryans said. “I think that’s where Mike has done a great job with all of his players. He finds a way to put them in a position to make plays.
“Kyle is one great example of that. He’s put in position, he’s attacking the football, he’s doing a great job in coverage, great job tackling in space. It’s great to see his game evolve.”
Being in the right spot to make a play is one thing. Making them is another. Hamilton finds himself littered across the box score.
With a sack, a forced fumble, two batted passes, four interceptions, and 61 tackles, Hamilton has a constant impact. He’s delivered from centerfield, the box, and the slot, making him difficult for Stroud to avoid in the Divisional Round.
The Ravens, favored by nine points at home, are justified favorites. But Stroud has overcome strong defenses before – carving up the Cleveland Browns last week – and just keeps building on his incredible story. Both of these young stars are a lock to make big plays on Saturday.
More must-reads: