The Baltimore Ravens have some of the best individual defensive players in the league at their disposal. Not only do they have a $98 million defensive tackle in Justin Madubuike and a First-Team All-Pro linebacker in Roquan Smith, but they are led by one of the most jaw-dropping safeties in the game in Kyle Hamilton.
As the Ravens look to transition away from the Mike Macdonald area while moving towards new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, having a player who can cover so much ground and make big hits like Hamilton will allow Orr to put his own unique spin on the Ravens' mighty defense.
Orr is right to have confidence in this unit, as it shouldn't be rocket science to take a defense with All-Pros littered everywhere and get them performing at a respectable level. Hamilton, in particular, could be an X-factor for this team, as Orr seems to have big plans for him.
As the Ravens wrapped up the first week of OTAs, Orr praised Hamilton by calling him the "ultimate chess piece" on defense. Not only did Orr say Hamilton could play as a box safety, deep safety, or nickel cornerback depending on how the offense sets up, but he hinted that Hamilton could make plays as a traditional linebacker and edge rusher.
“@kyledhamilton_ is the ultimate chess piece.” DC Orr pic.twitter.com/Bpoehwwm89
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 23, 2024
Zach Orr has high praise for Ravens star Kyle Hamilton
The 6-4 Hamilton was billed as arguably the greatest safety prospect in years when he came out of Notre Dame, and he has lived up to the hype with the Ravens. Between a tremendous coverage grade from PFF and an All-Pro selection in his second season, both old-school and newer stats attest to his greatness.
Hamilton batted down 13 passes, picked off four, and recorded three sacks last year. The Ravens need to prepare for a gigantic contract coming his way, as it would not be unrealistic for Baltimore to hand out a deal that eventually reshapes the entire safety market based on Hamilton's production.
No. 14 is going to be tested quite early in Orr's new defense, as he has to line up against an absolute gauntlet of quarterbacks to begin the season. A rematch against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs comes first, followed by Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow in consecutive weeks.
The Ravens are once again poised to compete for a championship, and they will need Hamilton to be the "chess piece" Orr described if they want any hope of making it through the AFC.