Back in 2022, then-NFL prospect Kyle Hamilton, now with the Baltimore Ravens, saw his NFL Draft stock dip after a relatively poor performance during that year’s NFL Draft Combine. Even though he was regarded as one of the best defensive backs of his batch, he fell all the way down to the No. 14 spot.
For data analyst Matt Edwards, the idea that other teams passed up on him just because the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish posted a 4.59-second time at the 40-yard dash was “comical” (h/t Marcel Louis-Jacque of ESPN).
The concern about Hamilton’s speed was surprising to Edwards then and is comical now, after Hamilton, who was taken 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens that year, made the All-Rookie team in 2022 and was named All-Pro in 2023. “I was like, ‘How are people not saying that this guy is going to be incredible?'” Edwards said.
“I have seen that on tape. And that’s where you get the big debate about scouts and what they see on film versus analytics … Like, man, I’ve seen this kid, he’s really good. If you’re looking at his 40 time at the combine, it may not be great, but being able to talk about his change of direction, his closing speed.
The Baltimore Ravens will look to score another big draft steal at the 2023 NFL Draft, as they are picking late in the first round, 30th overall to be precise.
The Baltimore Ravens Landed A Big Steal In The Form Of Kyle Hamilton
The Ravens’ trust in Hamilton eventually paid off. In only his second year in the NFL, Hamilton became a first-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler. In 2023, he posted four interceptions and 13 passes defended to go with 81 total tackles and 3.0 sacks.