More proof emerges that Kyle Hamilton is the NFL’s most versatile defender

There's football jargon and those unwritten bylaws that aren't recorded, but everyone knows. The more a guy can do, the better his chances are of remaining employed on an NFL roster. That's especially true if that player isn't just knowledgeable but also talented. There can never be enough versatility. Here's where Kyle Hamilton enters the conversation.

Think about how much the Baltimore Ravens value this guy. In 2021, during the first round of the NFL Draft, they drafted a pass rusher (Odafe Oweh) and a wide receiver (Rashod Bateman). From 2022 forward, three of their last five first-rounders were defensive backs (Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, and Malaki Starks).

Despite drafting a safety 27th overall in 2025 (Starks) and needing obvious help at edge rusher, Baltimore traded Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers. They added another safety, Alohi Gilman.

They did that for one reason. That move was explicitly executed to give them creative liberty with Kyle Hamilton. The plan was to place Gilman deep and use Hamilton as a chess piece that can be moved all over the board.

Kyle Hamilton is the NFL's most versatile defender.

Everyone has their theories about Pro Football Focus. Some swear by them. Some say they aren't fans. Two things can't be denied. They've carved their own lane in journalism, and few platforms work harder to deliver information.

Some young NFL stars struggle to master the intricacies of a single position. Hamilton has mastered several. Per PFF, he has lined up in six different positions during the first 11 games of the Baltimore Ravens' regular season.

Thank Ravens Editorial Director Ryan Mink for doing the legwork. We'd like you to digest what he said fully. Hamilton, a safety, has played 13 snaps at outside cornerback, and he has played at least 52 snaps in five other defensive positions. How is that even possible? He isn't just versatile. He's one of the most versatile players in Ravens history.

We genuinely believe, even though there's no reason to do this, that this guy could play quarterback if he fully immersed himself and was allowed a full offseason. He's that good. Thank Heaven he's on the Ravens' side. He's going to be around for a while. Truth be told, that would probably be the decision if he could only play one position.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: New evidence backs Kyle Hamilton as the NFL’s most versatile defender