Ravens Unleashed Kyle Hamilton in Week 2

According to Next Gen Stats, via Russell Street Report, Hamilton lined up on the edge 14 times and at the line of scrimmage on 22 snaps against New Orleans. Those are unusual alignments for a traditional safety, but Hamilton has spent his career proving he can handle responsibilities all over the defense.

That versatility fits Jesse Minter’s background. During his time with the Chargers, Minter similarly moved Derwin James around the formation and used him aggressively near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton has taken on some of those responsibilities in Baltimore, particularly as a blitzer. According to PFF, his three pressures currently lead NFL safeties, while Hamilton was sent on a blitz on 23.1% of his defensive snaps against the Saints.

One play in the fourth quarter showed the value of having a safety capable of pressuring the quarterback. With the score tied at 17 and 1:54 remaining, Baltimore was trying to force a stop and give its offense another opportunity. On first-and-goal, Shough took the snap from shotgun and was immediately pressured by Hamilton, who had aligned on the left side almost like a 3-4 outside linebacker. Hamilton came through as a free blitzer and forced Shough into a hurried throw that sailed over Devaughn Vele’s head for an incompletion.

Baltimore still surrendered a touchdown and lost the game, but Hamilton’s individual performance remained one of the defense’s bright spots. The Ravens now face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, and Dak Prescott was pressured on 41.7% of his dropbacks against Washington. Prescott still carved up the Commanders through the air, but that pressure rate gives Baltimore another reason to keep finding creative ways to involve Hamilton in the pass rush.