Rod Woodson explains what Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton needs to do to ‘untap that natural ability’

Rod Woodson wants Kyle Hamilton to talk to NFL legends Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh labeled safety Derwin James as ‘the best safety he has ever seen,’ and that didn’t sit right with Hall of Fame DB Rod Woodson.

Woodson lauded Derwin James’ abilities, but didn’t think he was clear of the likes of Hamilton and Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch.

Speaking on the Up and Adams show, Woodson said, “Kyle Hamilton, man. I really want to unlock his natural ability because he’s so talented.

“He sees the game in a certain way. I had a conversation with him before the season started, and I want him to talk to Ed Reed and talk to Troy Polamalu. Talk to Ronnie Lott.

“Untap that natural ability that he has. He’s so long, he’s so fast, he’s so quick. He makes so many tackles for loss, week in and week out. He makes big plays for the team, a lot of sacks for the team.

“So is [Derwin] James the best safety? He’s one of the best safeties, along with Kyle and [Brian] Branch. I think there are several guys in that category.”

If there is one player that Kyle Hamilton should talk to about being a Baltimore Ravens defensive back, and how to tap his potential, it is Ed Reed.

Derwin James is not the best safety the NFL has ever seen

With all due respect to Jim Harbaugh, who Colin Cowherd said was the greatest coach of all time over college and the NFL, Derwin James can’t be the best safety he has ever seen.

For context, this is what Harbaugh said after making that comment: “It’s like being around greatness every day, whether it’s the practice environment, the training environment, the meeting environment, the way he is on the sideline, and most of the way he is during the game.

“He’s incredible. It’s just enthusiasm, unknown to mankind, that jumps out. When he tackles, he gets him down. He can cover. He can play any position in the secondary.

“I guess what jumps out the most is he can play nickel, he can play dime backer, he could play corner, he could play in the deep half, he can play in the deep middle, he can blitz.

“You have to compare him to Willie Mays at that point. He’s a five-tool, six-tool secondary player. It’s incredible what he can do.”

He concluded: “It’s like Superman when he puts on the armor, when he puts on that suit and wears that number three. He’s donning the cape.”

As Woodson said, right now, there are two safeties on his elite level, if not better than James. Lions DB Brian Branch is going to reset the market again in the next year or so.

That is before considering all of the great safeties who have ever played the game. Jim Harbaugh has been around the game for a long time.