Jets Rumors: NY Has 'a Lot' of Interest in Safety Kyle Hamilton in 2022 NFL Draft

The New York Jets may reportedly target Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with one of their two top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Wednesday the Jets "like Hamilton a lot" and could "double down" with defensive players at both Nos. 4 and 10, though the team's moves in free agency will determine whether it goes defense-heavy in Round 1.

The Jets would likely need to invest the fourth overall pick in the standout safety if he's one of their prized targets, as the early predraft hype suggests he's a long shot to remain on the board at No. 10.

Hamilton recorded 138 total tackles, 16 passes defended, eight interceptions and a touchdown in 31 games across three seasons with the Fighting Irish. His final college campaign came to a premature end in October because of a knee injury.

While he recovered before Notre Dame's bowl game, a Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State, he opted to skip the contest to begin preparations for the draft.

He described it as a "business decision" on the Inside the Garage podcast (via Rivals' Tyler Horka) and said his outlook would have been different if the Irish were playing for a national title.

"It's not that I don't want to play," Hamilton said in December. "If we're in the playoff right now—I've told you guys, I've told all the coaches—if we're in the playoff, I'm going to go. I want to go win a national championship. I'm going to suit up. I'm going to play."

The situation hasn't impacted his draft stock, as he's still one of the most coveted prospects available.

Bleacher Report's Cory Giddings described Hamilton as a "generational talent" in his predraft scouting report.

"Hamilton is a rare athlete who has the frame of a linebacker and the movement skills of a defensive back," Giddings wrote. "He is a long strider who covers a lot of ground, no matter if he is playing as a deep safety or down in the trenches."

The Jets could certainly use more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. They ranked last in both total defense (397.6 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (29.6 points allowed per game) in 2021 while also finishing with the second-fewest turnovers forced (14).

Hamilton would be a Day 1 starter and, with a few other upgrades via free agency, could help lead a much-needed resurgence within the New York secondary.