With the 14th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton. What will Hamilton’s rookie contract look like, and where does he project into the Ravens’ current depth chart?
Kyle Hamilton drafted 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens
Hamilton is a two-time Bednarik Finalist (2020 and 2021) and was selected as a second-team All-American in 2021. He becomes the seventh defensive back out of Notre Dame to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and the first since Harrison Smith in 2012.
Hamilton’s projected rookie contract
Because Hamilton was the 14th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is what his projected rookie contract should look like. Contract numbers are from Over the Cap.
- Total Value: $18.4 million
- Signing Bonus: $10.6 million
- 2022 Base Salary: $705,000
- 2022 Cap Number: $3.4 million
Hamilton’s strengths and areas to improve
Here is a snapshot of what the Ravens will be getting with the selection of Hamilton. For further information, check out Hamilton’s full scouting report.
Strengths
- At over 6’4″ and 220 pounds with 33″ arms, he is a physical specimen
- Extremely disruptive at the catch point, exceptional tackler, and versatile
- Demonstrates excellent explosion, has incredible fluidity of movement enabling tremendous change of direction, and contains impressive short-area explosion
Areas for improvement
- Can be prone to bite on screens, play-action, and RPO plays
- There are some examples of him losing the ball in the air
- Occasionally lacked speed on tape
How does Hamilton project in the Ravens’ depth chart?
On the surface, the Hamilton pick doesn’t make a ton of sense. The Ravens already have Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark. However, their linebacking corps has been a bit underwhelming at times, and Hamilton can fly downhill. He could play as an overhang, and the Ravens could often play with three safeties on the field.
Hamilton is an outstanding football player. The PFN Draft Team ranked him as their top player for the Top 300 Consensus Big Board. He’s been the best player on Notre Dame’s defense since stepping on the field as a freshman.
When do the Ravens pick next in the 2022 NFL Draft?
As of the time they drafted Hamilton, the Ravens have these remaining picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Round 2 (Pick 45)
- Round 3 (Pick 76)
- Round 3 (Pick 100; Resolution JC-2A)
- Round 4 (Pick 110 from Giants)
- Round 4 (Pick 119)
- Round 4 (Pick 128 from Cardinals)
- Round 4 (Pick 139*)
- Round 4 (Pick 141*)
- Round 6 (Pick 196 from Dolphins)
*Compensatory pick
For the full results and upcoming draft order, check out our pick-by-pick tracker for the 2022 NFL Draft.