Pundit Believes Kyle Hamilton Is ‘Defensive Player of the Year Type of Talent’
Kyle Hamilton has established himself as one of the elite safeties in the league, and he could be on a path to join an exclusive club.
Only three safeties have been named Defensive Player of the Year over the past 40 years: former Raven Ed Reed (2004), Bob Sanders (2007), and Troy Polamalu (2010). Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema believes Hamilton has the talent to win the award.
“This is a Defensive Player of the Year type of talent, somebody who can do everything for you,” Sikkema said on the “PFF NFL Show” podcast. “He can play free safety. He can play strong safety. He can play as a slot defender. We’ve even seen him play some linebacker, outside corner. Kyle Hamilton can do it all for you.”
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman echoed Sikkema’s praise of Hamilton.
“There are only four or five guys in the conversation for best safety in the NFL, and he’s squarely in it. If you have him No. 1, I have no complaints about it,” Wasserman said. “He’s just one of the few players in football that does everything at an elite level.”
The comments about Hamilton came during a larger discussion about each team’s best value player. Sikkema and Wasserman agreed that it had to be Hamilton for the Ravens because the two-time All-Pro is still playing on his rookie contract.
Of course, it’s just a matter of time before Hamilton signs a contract extension that could make him the highest-paid safety in the league.
“When you talk about a guy who is worth every single dollar you are paying him, Kyle Hamilton’s contract extension is about to be massive,” Sikkema said.
Wasserman added: “Once he signs that extension, he’s going to be the highest-paid safety probably we’ve ever seen, and he’ll certainly deserve it. He’s everything they could’ve possibly wanted in him when they drafted him.”