Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton already looks like franchise pillar

A lot of folks were shocked to see former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton fall to the Baltimore Ravens at pick 14 in this past NFL Draft. 

The Ravens have always been known to draft well, but snagging Hamilton where they did just didn't seem fair. As expected, Hamilton has been an absolute force for the Baltimore defense in his rookie season. 

He's been playing so well that he's actually Pro Football Focus' highest-rated safety across the entire NFL this season so far.

If not for star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner excelling with the Jets, Hamilton might be the frontrunner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

At the very least, the Ravens have a clear keeper in Hamilton. For a team that's never lacked for safeties, Hamilton might very well be the best at the position to play in Baltimore since Ed Reed. 

Hamilton is day-to-day at the moment with an injury, but that shouldn't dim his star. He's already wreaking havoc for the Ravens in his first season. 

He's yet another Baltimore draft pick that everyone will be envious of for years to come. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.