{"id":135699,"date":"2022-10-01T20:30:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T00:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=135699"},"modified":"2022-10-01T20:30:49","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T00:30:49","slug":"kyle-hamilton-earning-himself-more-playing-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/10\/01\/kyle-hamilton-earning-himself-more-playing-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Hamilton Earning Himself More Playing Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Baltimore Ravens<\/a> drafted hybrid safety, Kyle Hamilton,\u00a0with the 14th<\/sup> overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>. Hamilton was praised as one of the draft\u2019s top prospects and many had felt that the Ravens got a steal given Hamilton\u2019s talent. However, since being drafted, there has been little hype surrounding Hamilton during the off-season, and he appeared to struggle in his first few starts.<\/p>\n

Over the first three games, Hamilton has accumulated 10 total tackles and made a crucial forced fumble against the New England Patriots<\/a> which preserved Baltimore\u2019s lead. The Ravens were able to hold onto their lead and ultimately beat the Patriots, 37-26<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kyle Hamilton is Earning Himself More Playing Time<\/h2>\n

Hamilton\u2019s Early Struggles<\/h3>\n

In the pre-draft process, Hamilton\u2019s stock fell drastically due to many teams believing he lacked real elite athleticism. At Notre Dame<\/a>, he was vulnerable against deep balls and often took inefficient tackling angles toward ball carriers. He also failed to demonstrate the necessary hip fluidity to defend against receivers in man coverage. With that said, Hamilton\u2019s merits came in his big play ability and superb football IQ.<\/p>\n

As a deep-lying safety, Hamilton excelled in predicting the development of plays and showed great ball skills. On top of that, he flashed his talent as a secure tackler who could lay big hits. Perhaps the most appealing part of Hamilton’s game was his freakish athleticism for his size. It meant that, at the college level, he was used as a hybrid defender that played linebacker and safety.<\/p>\n

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Kyle Hamilton is PFF\u2019s highest graded rookie safety through 3 weeks \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

Hamilton has taken 80 coverage snaps and has only allowed 55 total yards \ud83d\udd12 pic.twitter.com\/XhsR8HWbER<\/a><\/p>\n

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 27, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n