Kyle Hamilton Is 'Reaching Lamar Jackson Territory' for His Impact on Defense
Kyle Hamilton is widely regarded as the best safety and most versatile defensive player in the NFL. His impact on the Ravens' defense cannot be overstated.
"He's reaching Lamar Jackson territory for his importance to the defense," 105.7 The Fan’s Cordell Woodland said on “Glenn Clark Radio.”
Mentioning anyone in the same breath as the two-time MVP is the ultimate compliment, and it's an apt comparison. Hamilton elevates those around him on defense, as Jackson does on offense.
"Wherever Kyle Hamilton is on the field, he's a first-tier force multiplier, and that's just not something you can say about most players throughout pro football history," Athlon Sports’ Doug Farrar wrote. "Even the truly great ones. Kyle Hamilton's greatness lies in the fact that he's a Pro Bowl-level player in so many spots, and when you put it all together, you have a valuable and versatile defender the likes of which no other team has."
Hamilton's ability to excel at multiple positions has been invaluable in the defense's turnaround in the second half of last season and over the past month this season.
"Obviously, moving Kyle Hamilton up into the box, that's the key," Woodland said of the defense's recent improvement. "It changes their defense dramatically. … Whatever the issue is, send him there. If we need somebody to get after the quarterback on third down, send Kyle Hamilton. If you've got a running back you're having trouble guarding on some of those choice routes, send Kyle Hamilton. If they're killing you with some of those bubble screens, send Kyle Hamilton.
"Last year, [the Ravens] needed Kyle Hamilton to be the deeper safety to cut off some of those splash plays they were giving up. Now this year, [they] need Kyle Hamilton to be closer to the line of scrimmage so he can generate more pressure, so he can generate more splash plays for the defense, and he's done that as well."
When Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked Monday why Hamilton is so good, he said: "Good genes, I think; probably good genes. He is talented. But the other thing is, versatility is not just talent; it's also understanding the game and also studying. He's got to know a lot. There's a lot he has to know, process and understand about the gameplan, and I just think he kind of knows the whole defense. He probably could line up in any position. We'll keep him away from nose guard, how about that? You can play him at all the other ones. But, he's special that way."
Malaki Starks Is Starting to Look Like Another First-Round Home Run for Ravens
Hamilton is such a special player that it's easy to forget the 2022 first-round pick experienced some growing pains early in his rookie season before figuring things out.
First-round rookie safety Malaki Starks is having a similar experience. After an inconsistent start, Starks has emerged as the playmaker the Ravens expected him to be.
Starks followed his first career interception in Week 9 with an interception on Sunday that was crucial in the Ravens' win over the Minnesota Vikings.
"God forbid a rookie takes more than seven games in the NFL to get adjusted," Hamilton said after the game. "He is progressing just fine, and it's no surprise to us. You saw that in the offseason. He's 21 years old, but he acts like a 31-year-old, like he's been in it for 10 years."
The Ravens have a rich history of nailing their first-round picks, and Ravens Wire’s Geoffrey A Knox said Starks could add his name to the illustrious list.
"Early indications seem to suggest they may have hit another home run with another stud who should be suitable for a very long time," Knox wrote.
With safety Ar'Darius Washington sidelined since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in May, Starks had more on his plate than originally anticipated. He had even more responsibility when nearly the entire starting defense was banged up earlier this season. Starks has logged more snaps than anyone on the team.
"Through Week 8, he ranked seventh among nine rookie safeties in PFF overall grade (50.6)," Pro Football Focus’ Ben Cooper wrote. "Over the past two weeks, he is the NFL's highest-graded defender (92.7), having logged elite 90.0-plus PFF overall grades in both contests.
"Against the Vikings in Week 10, Starks smoothly picked off a J.J. McCarthy deep shot to Justin Jefferson, thwarting an opportunity for Minnesota to build a two-score lead. … The elite Jefferson was charted as 'open' zero times in five matchups with Starks in coverage."
Why the Defense's Turnaround Is Real
The defense's turnaround this season has been remarkable, and Russell Street Report’s Dev Panchwagh believes it's sustainable.
Panchwagh cited several reasons for his opinion, starting with Hamilton. Here's a look at two other factors:
The pass rush has more juice.
"Rookie Mike Green has been getting better and better every week. His pass rush plan was special coming out of college. And it's been on display more often – the chop, the dip, the spin. He also looks freer to rush without handling other responsibilities. And with Dre'Mont Jones in the mix, that only helps him get more one-on-one matchups.
"Jones is a chess piece who can rush from either side of the line, rush with his hand down, rush from a standup position, and rush as defensive tackle next to Travis Jones. … He's an explosive player who had a direct impact in obvious passing downs against the Vikings, forcing J.J. McCarthy out of the pocket. He also helped the other Jones face less blocking attention. With veteran rusher Carl Lawson also slated to play soon, this group looks alive after the devastating loss of DT [Nnamdi] Madubuike following the first two games of the season."
The cornerbacks are sharp.
"With Hamilton playing slot, and three safeties on the field, there's a boundary corner rotation between Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie. All three corners offer physical, press corner ability. There's no ambiguity on how the rotation works, which was more the case when Awuzie was injured and the team was figuring out what to do with Jaire Alexander.
"In perhaps the most impressive showing of the year against Minnesota, this trio shut down Justin Jefferson, holding him to four catches for 37 yards. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr has been able to play the corners to their strengths and they've responded, giving the DC a legit counter to some of the game's best WR groups."
Ravens Suggested As Potential Fit if Cardinals Move on From Kyler Murray
With quarterback Kyler Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals in question, The Athletic’s Mike Sando asked NFL insiders to speculate where the 2019 No. 1 overall pick could play next season.
One coach suggested Murray's days as a starter could be over, and mentioned the Ravens as a potential fit because of his dual-threat ability.
"Do you want him to be your backup in Cincinnati? In Pittsburgh?" the coach said. "These are completely different offenses. If you wanted to get your backup behind Lamar, maybe?"
Sando wrote: "It seems unlikely the Cardinals would still have Murray on their roster on March 22, 2026, when $19.5 million in 2027 salary becomes fully guaranteed. … Not that anyone would likely walk away from nearly $37 million, but would Murray even want to be a backup?"
Murray, who has a 38-48-1 career record as a starter, started the Cardinals' first five games this season before suffering a foot injury. He was placed on injured reserve last week.
