Final season, Hamilton began all 17 video games for the top-10 Ravens’ protection and recorded a career-high 107 tackles whereas including an interception, two pressured fumbles and 9 passes defended.
Per NFL Pro data, he had the fourth-most stops, outlined as tackles that lead to unfavorable anticipated factors added for the offense, amongst all defensive backs. Of these stops, 60 p.c got here in opposition to the run.
The versatile defender has established himself as one of many league’s high protection safeties. Final season, he fared finest as a slot nook, the place he took 22.1 p.c of his protection snaps, permitting 11 receptions for 70 yards and an interception on 15 targets.
For his profession, NFL Professional credit him with permitting 8.6 yards per reception as the closest defender in protection, leading to 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
The 2-time Professional Bowler completed ninth in Related Press Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting final season, one yr after being named first-team All-Professional.
Hamilton is the newest in a string of NFL Draft success tales for Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta. A longtime member of the Ravens entrance workplace, DeCosta was promoted to common supervisor in 2019. Under his watch, six Ravens draft picks have been named to the Professional Bowl.
Earlier than his promotion, Baltimore hit huge on offensive sort out Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and Lamar Jackson, who’ve mixed for six first-team All-Professional nods and 10 Professional Bowl roster appearances.
The Ravens’ string of excellent returns from their very own draft picks is a big cause why they’re top-of-the-line groups within the NFL. Whereas free company and trades are efficient methods to complement expertise, probably the most profitable franchises construct their groups by way of the draft.
Coming into 2025, seven of Baltimore’s 10 highest-paid gamers (by way of complete worth) are former draft picks on extensions. The opposite three have been added by way of commerce (linebacker Roquan Smith), free company (working again Derrick Henry) or are on a rookie deal (2025 first-round security Malaki Starks). (h/t Spotrac)
Hamilton’s extension is one other main win for the Ravens, who’ve confirmed themselves higher than most at not solely figuring out NFL-caliber expertise by way of the draft but in addition creating these gamers and increasing them earlier than relationships fray.
Different organizations should take note.
