All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton has solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s most multifaceted athletes, earning the top spot on The Athletic’s list of the league’s 10 most versatile players. Hamilton’s ability to impact the game from multiple positions makes him the ideal example of adaptability and skill at the highest level.
According to The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen, Hamilton not only made the list but emerged as its defining figure. Nguyen highlighted the Ravens’ strategic drafting and development of Hamilton’s unique talents, which contribute to his effectiveness across various roles on defense.
He was drafted to the perfect team to develop and deploy his skill set,
Nguyen said.
He does everything well, and Mike Macdonald, who was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore when Hamilton was drafted, had a vision for how to use him. He was a tight end eraser, could cover slots decently and was a monster against perimeter runs and screens. Macdonald’s system is at its best when he can move his players all around his defense, and Hamilton can line up everywhere in the second and third levels and excel.
—Ted Nguyen, The Athletic
Defensive Leadership and Adaptability Under New Coordinator
Hamilton’s versatility remained a cornerstone of the Baltimore Ravens defense during the 2024 season under first-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr. When the Ravens struggled defensively in the previous season’s second half, Hamilton adjusted by increasing his deep-field coverage to neutralize big plays.
Nguyen noted how Hamilton’s role shifted significantly during Weeks 9-18, increasing his deep coverage snaps by 32 percent compared to the season’s first half. This adaptation was crucial in stabilizing the Ravens’ secondary and halting the defensive slide.
When the Ravens defense was struggling last season, Hamilton had to stay deep at free safety more to stop teams from beating them over the top,
Nguyen explained.
Obviously, Hamilton wasn’t the sole reason the defense improved, but he was a big part of it. For Hamilton, who played most of his snaps near the line of scrimmage, to effortlessly transition into a mostly deep player shows his immense value. There aren’t many players in the league who can shut down the perimeter plays near the line of scrimmage, cover different body types, and then line up in deep zones and take away that part of the field.
—Ted Nguyen, The Athletic
Emerging Talent Among Ravens’ Rising Stars for 2025
While Kyle Hamilton remains the centerpiece of Baltimore’s defense, other players are poised to break out in the upcoming season. Second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins is the front-runner for that distinction, but several others are gaining momentum as potential impact players in 2025.
Glenn Erby of Ravens Wire highlighted six emerging candidates, including outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and wide receiver Devontez Walker, who could raise the Ravens’ competitiveness in key positions.
Tavius Robinson’s Growing Edge Presence
Baltimore has all of its outside linebackers returning, including third-year pass rusher Tavius Robinson. The former Ole Miss pass rusher had 32 tackles (13 solo), including 3.5 sacks, one pass defensed, and 12 QB hits in 17 games last season. Robinson spent the first half of last season in a rotational role at edge rusher, but he did start in the final six regular-season games.
—Glenn Erby, Ravens Wire
Devontez Walker’s Speed and Big-Play Potential
Baltimore has a solid trio of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins at the wide receiver spot. Still, injuries happen, and the Ravens would prefer to have Walker elevate his role over Tylan Wallace or rookie LaJohntay Wester. Walker ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and he’ll look to be Lamar Jackson‘s big-play weapon.
—Glenn Erby, Ravens Wire
Identifying Baltimore Ravens’ Main Challenges in the AFC North
Despite being frontrunners for a third consecutive AFC North title, the Ravens must remain vigilant of their division rivals. NFL Network analysts Bucky Brooks and Marc Ross offered differing opinions on which team poses the greatest threat to Baltimore’s dominance.
It has to be the Pittsburgh Steelers,
Brooks stated.
When you think about Mike Tomlin and the job he’s done consistently, the Pittsburgh Steelers are always in the hunt. This year, they’re taking an old page out of Michael Jordan’s book – the last dance. They’ve gone all in on the veteran all-stars. You think about Aaron Rodgers coming over, you think about D.K. Metcalf coming over from Seattle. On defense, Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey. You have the holdovers in T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward. This is a team that is built to win a Super Bowl.
If they catch lightning in a bottle where everyone is able to stay healthy and the chemistry is right, there is no reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t challenge the Baltimore Ravens.
—Bucky Brooks, NFL Network
On the other hand, Marc Ross believes the Cincinnati Bengals present the biggest hurdle for Baltimore.
It’s much easier to go into a game and [say] we’re going to score 30 and our defense just has to make one stop and we’re going to win games,
Ross remarked.
Sometimes their defense didn’t make any stops last year, that’s why they were where they were. But make one stop to win games. They’ve got one of the big four quarterbacks in Joe Burrow. They’ve got the best receiver in the game in Ja’Marr Chase. They’ve got the best No. 2 receiver in Tee Higgins. They’ve got Chase Brown, who is a quality running back, and Mike Gesicki, who’s a quality tight end. And the best No. 3 wide receiver in Andre Iosivas.
—Marc Ross, NFL Network
Updates and Expectations Entering Ravens Training Camp
As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for the start of training camp, focus remains on assembling a roster capable of sustaining their recent success. Analysts and insiders are closely watching which players stand out early in practice and how the team’s defense, noted as the highest-paid unit in the NFL, responds under pressure.
Linebacker Patrick Queen, speaking on the Ravens’ defensive prospects, expressed both confidence and the weight of expectations.
It’s a lot of money on defense. The biggest thing is to go out there and prove it.
He also acknowledged challenges faced by rival defenses, noting,
He acknowledges the Steelers D “sloped off” at the end of the season and
“it’s supposed to be the other way.”
—Patrick Queen, Linebacker
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Hamilton in Mensa?
A. He belongs to Mensa International, a group for individuals who rank in the top 2% on an accepted intelligence exam.