Breakout season ahead? In Kyle Hamilton, Ravens believe they have budding star

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – If they need to play it, the Baltimore Ravens defense will have a card in their pocket this season.

A card that happens to stand 6-4, roaming the middle of the field.

Entering his second season, Kyle Hamilton is expected to transition back to the traditional safety spot in which he became a standout at Notre Dame rather than the nickel role he largely occupied during his rookie season.

But don’t be surprised if defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald gets creative deploying the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 draft.

“I’m really excited to see Kyle in a bigger role this year as far as starting safety,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said, “obviously playing some nickel … he’s a guy that can play anywhere.”

With the Ravens clearing a path on the back end on the back end of the defense by trading Chuck Clark to the New York Jets, Hamilton has been patrolling as the deep safety through the first two weeks of training camp.

“He’s obviously playing back a lot more than he played at dime or nickel last year,” head coach John Harbaugh said, “but he looks good.”

Hamilton has been aggressive making plays on balls. His battles with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews during one-on-one drills are highly contested.

Not only does Hamilton excel in coverage, but his size makes him an asset in stopping the run and rushing the passer.

“It’s a blessing,” said defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, “to coach a guy like Kyle Hamilton.”

The physical gifts, though, didn’t require the biggest adjusting by Hamilton last season as he sped up to the pro game. His mental side lacked, and it showed during the Week 2 defensive meltdown against the Miami Dolphins, when his shallow coverage on a Tyreek Hill deep route led to a touchdown.

“2023 Kyle and 2022 Kyle, at this time, I feel like are two completely different people, just mentally,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he now makes checks and calls with confidence when called upon by inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen.

“It’s a big difference from last year, and I feel like that was the biggest step I’ve taken,” Hamilton said. “Not even physically, just mentally being able to lead out there with calls and checks and stuff like that.”

The week after the Miami game, Hamilton played his second-fewest defensive snaps in a game of the season. By the end of the season, Pro Football Focus rated him as the league's No. 7 safety, and Hamilton was on the field for 92% of the defensive snaps in the Ravens’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during an AFC wild-card game.

With that experience solidified, pass game coordinator/secondary coach Chris Hewitt has lofty expectations for Hamilton.

“He knows the defense,” Hewitt said. “Earlier in the year, he had a lot of growing pains. So, he’s ahead of the plays this year. He’s ahead of the formations, down and distances and knows really how to play now. We’ll see big things from Kyle. I expect this guy to be a Pro Bowl-type player this year.”

To that, Hamilton responded he feels like he attends a Pro Bowl practice every day – a nod to the Ravens’ depth at multiple positions.

“That’s the goal ultimately – Pro Bowl, Super Bowl – all that,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton is still seeking his first career interception, but he forced one fumble with two sacks, five passes defended and 62 combined tackles last season.

In Year 2, Hamilton wants more.

“I have high expectations for myself, for the team,” he said. “And I feel like we can make all of them come true.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore Ravens believe Kyle Hamilton has breakout season ahead