5 breakout player candidates for Baltimore Ravens in 2023

2. Will Kyle Hamilton be the leader of the Baltimore Ravens defense

Kyle Hamilton went 14th overall in the 2022 NFL draft, so many fans will expect to see Kyle Hamilton breakout in his second season. Still, after his first season, it is fair to say that he is flying under the radar. The Baltimore Ravens drafted him as a luxury, mainly because he was clearly the best player on their board.

They still had Chuck Clark and Marcus Williams, so Hamilton spent his rookie season as a third safety and eventually a nickel cornerback. That is not what many saw him doing in the NFL, and it definitely has him flying under the radar.

Now, Hamilton is expected to step in for Chuck Clark, who was traded. However, the vibes around Baltimore is that his role in dime and nickel was so valuable last season that while he will play strong safety in base, his ability to fill so many roles in differing personnel looks will make the Ravens' defense much better.

When you think about the fact that Hamilton will be moving around more and will be even more active on the defense, and you add in that Roquan Smith is now entering his first full season in this defense, a unit that finished the season on a high note may be entering 2023 with eyes on having the best group in the NFL.

Kyle Hamilton may break out and be a do-everything stud, which may put this break out this team over the edge.