Although he’s just a junior this season at Notre Dame, safety Kyle Hamilton is one of the best prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He has tremendous awareness and athletic ability to make plays across the entire field on a regular basis. As we’ll breakdown in this 2022 scouting report, Kyle Hamilton has elite skills and abilities that will translate extremely well into the National Football League.
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Kyle Hamilton 40 Time
I have Kyle Hamilton posting a 40 time in the low 4.4’s. If Hamilton runs in the 4.4’s, that would be well above the league average for both safety positions. On film, Hamilton displays tremendous speed and acceleration. His range to get from one side of the field to another, or from deep zone to the ball, is at an elite level.
Kyle Hamilton Injury History
Last season, Kyle Hamilton dealt with an ankle injury that kept him out of one game. In addition to that, Hamilton had minor surgery in the offseason on the ankle. However, he was ready for the 2021 season opener against Florida State. Most recently, Hamilton missed the 2021 game against North Carolina with a knee injury. Despite the injury, it should be noted that Hamilton received high praise from the Notre Dame coaching staff for helping to coach his teammates in his absence.
Kyle Hamilton Scouting Report
Pros
- Excellent awareness As The Ball Is Snapped To Diagnose The Play And Attack The Ball
- Fantastic Range To Attack And Tackle Ball Carriers From Deep Zone Coverage
- Does A Great Job Of Tackling In The Open-Field
Cons
- Needs To Improve His Use Of Hands To Shed Blocks Downfield
- Some Of His Tackling Technique Can Be Inconsistent At Times
- Average Ability At The Line Of Scrimmage To Diagnose And Locate Runs
Kyle Hamilton is a three-year safety for the University of Notre Dame. Hamilton has the abilities to play up top as a traditional safety, but is also capable of covering tight ends and some receivers. He has very good height and weight for the defensive back position. Additionally, he has great acceleration and speed.
Hamilton has a good ability to mirror his target, especially in goal line situations. Displays a good ability to shed blocks and bat the ball down. Has a very good awareness to locate open receivers at the line of scrimmage and attack. He has a good ability to attack receivers across the middle of the field and break up the pass. Possesses a good ability to track balls downfield. Hamilton has a very good awareness and play recognition to diagnose runs as the ball is snapped and attack. He frequently takes efficient angles to the ball from the high safety position.
Additionally, he has a good ability to tackle the ball carrier in the open-field with no support necessary. Displays a good range to cover wide receivers in man coverage from the opposite hash at the line of scrimmage. He’s also got good range to tackle the ball carrier quickly on drag routes across the middle of the field. When playing the high safety position, he displays good range to get to receivers that are outside the numbers quickly. Finally, he also has a solid ability to penetrate the pocket on delayed blitzes.
Kyle Hamilton has adequate use of hands versus downfield blocks to establish leverage and shed block. His awareness at the line of scrimmage to locate and attack the ball is also adequate. Additionally, he has a tendency to get sloppy with his technique to wrap up ball carriers.
Kyle Hamilton NFL Draft Projection
Kyle Hamilton is, without question, one of the top five prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Given that he’s only a junior in 2021, he’s not a lock to enter the NFL Draft in April. However, I would be shocked if he doesn’t declare. In our 2022 NFL Draft Top 200 Big Board, I have Kyle Hamilton ranked as the second overall prospect, just behind Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux. Hamilton’s skills and abilities will undoubtedly translate extremely well to the NFL.
He is likely to be a top five pick if he declares for the NFL Draft this year. He’s capable of playing the traditional high safety position, but can also cover receivers and tight ends. However, he may struggle early against the league’s best at that position. Finally, as outlined in this scouting report, look for Kyle Hamilton to do extremely well in the on-field drills at the NFL Combine in March.
