Kyle Hamilton was a safety for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (1:45) Kyle Hamilton's path to the Baltimore Ravens began when he ran a wild 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. If this had been tracked, Hamilton would have been disqualified for going outside his lane. A free fall in the NFL draft is what he was given for running this way in front of football scouts. The one-time top-5 prospect slid to the Ravens after his slower than expected time caused doubts about whether he could cover ground at the next level. The Ravens have a history of trusting what they see on tape, and they have no concerns about Hamilton's speed. You look at his game speed and what you see on tape. Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz said that he was covering ground. He is showing spurts. He is showing range and explosion. You look at your grade, your speed grade, and it all matches up, but the 40 yard dash time didn't match up. For anyone who's not seen it, please watch Kyle Hamilton's 40 (~45yds in the end😅) ⤵️ When would you ever see him weave like this in a game? He's much quicker on film, stop overthinking prospects! pic.twitter.com/I106lMSF0h
Hamilton's first of two picks against Florida State last season is a good example. Hamilton ran all the way to the opposite sideline to make the pick. He had to cover about 20 yards to get to the spot where the pass was thrown.
Hamilton displayed exceptional instincts, great recognition, and the ability to close on a receiver on one play.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said he could tell you what some of the best players had run over the years. He is quick. He has good eyes. He can do it all.
Ed Reed plummeted to the Ravens after he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, which is nearly identical to Hamilton's time. Reed became one of the game's best ball hawks and got into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Suggs slid to Baltimore at the 10th pick in 2003 because of a slow 40 time. Brian Billick joked that Suggs wouldn't have to run 40 yards to get to the quarterback. The franchise's all-time sacks leader, Suggs, was the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Ravens officials will not compare Hamilton to either Reed or Hamilton. Baltimore is confident that Hamilton can change games.
Hamilton can make plays deep in coverage or stop the run by lining up in the box. He has the lowest Total QBR allowed as the targeted defender in coverage since the beginning of the year. In his college career, Hamilton allowed one touchdown in coverage.
He is like a chess piece, and you get a chance to take him at Pick 14. That's why you think he's going to be gone, because he's a great player at multiple levels of a defense.
Hamilton knew his 40-yard time would ruin his chances of being drafted. He looked at the video board at the stadium to see if he was as good as James, a two-time first-team All-Pro safety. After his disappointing 40, his comparable on the video board changed to Jeremy Chinn, a second-round pick who has become a solid starter.
Why the Ravens think Hamilton is a steal.
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Hamilton was not expected to fall that far. He had a 32% chance of being available at the No. 14 pick.
Hamilton wasn't upset about where he landed.
Hamilton said before his news conference that he was talking to Harbaugh earlier about the perfect fit and that everything happened for the right reasons. There was a safety that was pretty good, and then a linebacker that was pretty good, I think. I hope I can add to that and fill those shoes.
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