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

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton already looks like franchise pillar

By Cory Woodroof | Last updated 11/23/22

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.

Kyle Hamilton through 10 games:

• 209 coverage snaps
• 177 yards allowed
• 29 TOT
• PFF’s highest graded rookie defender

The Ravens found themselves their safety of the future pic.twitter.com/yST94cxaUl
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 23, 2022

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

The highest-graded safety in the NFL this season

Kyle Hamilton pic.twitter.com/vrGRDpfcHY
— PFF (@PFF) November 22, 2022

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.

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