One AFC executive believes that Baltimore Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton plays a flawed game. Check out which areas he feels still need work. No NFL player is perfect. No pass would fall to the ground if they were, and every block would last five seconds.
By nature, football is a game in which both sides succeed and fail in a series of one-on-one battles. As a result, the team with the fewest flaws will most likely win the game.
Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton Possesses Imperfect Game, Asserts Anonymous AFC Executive
You don’t see too many 6’4″, 220-pound linebackers these days. Those physical dimensions usually result in a linebacker specializing in coverage. However, Hamilton plays the game differently. In 48 games as a Raven, the former Notre Dame standout had 250 tackles, five interceptions, 27 deflected passes, four forced fumbles, and seven sacks.
If a stat exists, Hamilton will show up on the list. Yet, not in the hero ball way. This means that safety makes this an imaginative play. He doesn’t attempt to hit a kill shot on the ball carrier.
By only missing 8.1% of his career tackles, the discipline needed to play at an elite level surfaces. Meanwhile, unhappy with Hamilton’s versatile skill set, an anonymous AFC executive shaded the 24-year-old in an ESPN article by Jeremy Fowler.
“Great player, scheme specific,” an AFC executive said. “In his role, he’s very good. He can’t man cover and does not have elite range; that’s why teams with quicker receivers can have success against him.”
What tall, angular safety keeps up with quick, wideouts? Most safeties struggle with twitchy wideouts. This is why they’re safeties and not cornerbacks. Next, if Hamilton cannot cover in man, don’t put him in man.
Throwback to Kyle Hamilton laying the đź’ĄBOOMđź’Ąon Hayden Hurst in the playoffs his rookie year. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/ZhNU3N6agg
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) May 13, 2025
Why find problems when solutions exist? The part about his role sounds rather sour. What’s the strong safety’s role? They cover tight ends and wide receivers; neither is a quick wideout.
Now, running does possess wiggle with the ball in their hands, on an exchange. In passing situations, backs need to get open with a long-armed safety practically hovering around them in coverage.
Additionally, tight ends usually weighing at least 230 pounds do not bring similar agility to the field. Hamilton only surrendered three career passing touchdowns in his rookie season on 112 completions.
Kyle Hamilton Pass-Rush stats per NFL Pro:
⬛️Pass Rush Snaps: 44
🟪Pressures: 12
⬛️Pressure Rate: 27.3%
🟪Sacks: 2.0
⬛️Deflections: 3 pic.twitter.com/5kRSMvBdbn— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) May 8, 2025
More importantly, why do NFL executives love to hide behind the veil of anonymity when it comes to criticism? For three years, Hamilton played a key role in a top-10 defense. Now, that’s not a one-year anomaly or a defense that excels in only one aspect.
Biggest Kyle Hamilton “I’m him” moments?
I’ll start: pic.twitter.com/KprP6Lovyp— LamarMuse (@Lamarmusee) May 6, 2025
If Hamilton isn’t the best safety in the game, then he’s in the top three and no lower than two. Can he improve his game? Of course, working on route recognition jumps to mind faster.
However, few teams can claim they employ a safety that hits like a linebacker and flashes ball skills like a corner.
