Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) and safety Malaki Starks (24) react after a play during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Ravens' Defensive Ace is Changing the Game

Originally posted on Baltimore Ravens on SI
By Ca'ren Franklin | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The Baltimore Ravens are watching Kyle Hamilton put together another elite season, one that has pushed him firmly into the conversation as the best safety in football. According to PFF, Hamilton currently ranks as the highest-graded safety in the league and owns the top coverage grade among all players at his position. For most people paying attention, this is not a shock. Hamilton has been this level of special since the moment he entered the NFL, and the consistency he brings to Baltimore’s defense continues to separate him from anyone else playing the position.

Hamilton’s Rookie Impact Was Just the Beginning

Even in his rookie year, Hamilton showed how rare his skill set was. PFF graded him second among all rookies with an 87.6 mark, a sign of how quickly he translated to the pro level. At 6 feet 4 inches with long strides and a blend of speed and instincts that rarely come in the same package, Hamilton has always looked like a prototype. His football IQ immediately jumped off the screen. He reads routes before they fully develop, squeezes into vertical coverages mid play, and reacts with a natural feel that makes it seem like he is seeing the field a beat ahead of everyone else.

Kyle Hamilton finished his rookie season with an 87.6 PFF Grade

Currently 2nd among all rookies pic.twitter.com/I9bQASV6Kd
— PFF (@PFF) January 16, 2023

The All-Purpose Safety Who Does It All

What makes Hamilton different is his ability to do everything at a high level without losing efficiency. If Baltimore needs him to blitz off the edge, he times it perfectly. If they ask him to press in man coverage, he is physical and controlled. If the assignment shifts to roaming deep zones, he covers an absurd amount of ground with his length and athleticism. He even disrupts offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage, shooting gaps with the timing of a linebacker but the fluidity of a defensive back. There are not many players in the league who can do all of that while still maintaining elite coverage numbers week after week.

Hamilton plays with a nose for the ball and a level of command that elevates the entire defense. His instincts, versatility, and ability to erase breakdowns have become the backbone of Baltimore’s identity. At this point, it is about time his name is mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations, if it is not already. The Ravens rely on him in every situation, and he delivers every time. This season is proving what many already knew. Kyle Hamilton is not just the best safety in football. He is one of the best defenders in the league.

This article first appeared on Baltimore Ravens on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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