If you were watching the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, you most likely heard the name Kyle Hamilton throughout the broadcast. Hamilton, the Ravens’ second-year safety, shined throughout the entire game and was an impact player who single-handedly made plays for the struggling Ravens defense.

While it was not an easy task to defend against the red-hot and electric Patrick Mahomes, Hamilton provided splash plays that kept his team in the game at the halfway point, trailing by only 10. One can argue that without Hamilton leading the defensive secondary, that Mahomes and company could have put up even more offensive points prior to halftime.

When Hamilton was drafted out of Notre Dame in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, there were once again individuals on social media who questioned the selection. A few weeks ago I wrote an article on Lions’ running back Jahmyr Gibbs and the negativity he faced coming out of college and how that turned out to not matter in the long run. Hamilton has a similar draft story with the negativity surrounding him but that never stopped the young man from achieving his goals and getting better each season.

From his rookie season to his second year, the safety has come in and been a leader in backend of a defense that ranked number one in the NFL. His season statistics have jumped significantly from year one to year two, and he was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his short career.

During the AFC Championship Game, he was all over the field. His ability to tackle in the open field, rush the quarterback on disguised safety blitzes, and to just plaster on opposing receivers and tight ends has truly made him a player to watch. There are times when watching the game that I think and just have to give credit to defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and the multitude of ways that he utilizes Hamilton’s strengths.

His season statistics from 2022 to 2023 were leaps and bounds better and he will continue to be a difference maker in the NFL.

2022 Statistics: 

Solo Tackles: 46

Assists: 16

Sacks: 2

Forced Fumbles: 1

Interceptions: 0

2023 Statistics: 

Solo Tackles: 63

Assists: 18

Sacks: 3

Forced Fumbles: 1

Interceptions: 4

*Does not include postseason.

What Social Media Is Saying: 

Kyle Hamilton made every play on that last defensive series 😤

📺: #KCvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/IIZbdmhqNS pic.twitter.com/KGtejlukq1

— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024

Kyle Hamilton is a star!! Love his game.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 28, 2024

Hard to describe just how MASSIVE of a stop this was for the #Ravens defense. Kyle Hamilton & Travis Jones were not to be denied. 🔒pic.twitter.com/wrMKv1VprM

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 28, 2024

Kyle Hamilton, the people’s safety 🙌🙏 pic.twitter.com/U2OrA1A2yu

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 28, 2024

Wrap Up: 

Hamilton is arguably one of the premier safeties in the National Football League and will continue to grow as the years progress. He is someone who I am a fan of watching, even as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. I can even go so far as to say that Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and his staff could take a few pointers from Mike Macdonald and his safety blitz packages. This could help ignite Minkah Fitzpatrick and his abilities, which lacked during the 2023 season.

We will see if that could happen but one thing is for sure, NFL offensive coaches should be accounting for and preparing heavily for the Ravens’ stellar safety.