Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton Thrilled To Be A Baltimore Raven

There was no disappointment from Kyle Hamilton on Thursday night. 

The 6-foot-4 safety was drafted 14th overall by Baltimore and according to SpotTrac, Hamilton's four-year contract will be valued at $16.2 million with a $9 million signing bonus. 

It's a cause for celebration, but Hamilton will be the first to admit the moment was tense in the green room in Las Vegas once the Jaguars went on the clock. 

"When we first got in there, everyone is laughing and smiling, then the whole room's mood just shifted," Hamilton stated. "People slowly started to tense up a bit. The waiting game is tough, but I'm so thankful it happened at the end of the day. I feel I went to the right team." 

Baltimore has a long history of defensive success and Hamilton is a natural fit, especially in a division where the Ravens will see DeShaun Watson and Joe Burrow twice a year. 

"Going into the draft, I had more questions than answers," explained Hamilton when asked if he was surprised Baltimore drafted him. "Throughout the process, I know the Ravens liked me. I visited with them and it was a great visit. I like them. They like me. I'm excited to get this thing started." 

The Atlanta native finished his Notre Dame career with 138 tackles and eight interceptions as he was used in about 200 different ways by Clark Lea and Marcus Freeman during his 31 games for the Fighting Irish. 

Hamilton believes his versatility is a strength and what made him attractive to John Harbaugh during his meetings and visits with the Ravens staff. 

"We've had conversations about it, but not anything specifically," Hamilton said of his role. "It's still very early, but I do pride myself on my versatility. I feel like every football player is versatile in their own ways. I just do it differently. I can play at different levels of the field and do them all well. 

"I feel my versatility is unique and something Baltimore will be happy to use." 

Baltimore signed safety Marcus Williams on a five-year, $70 million contract in March, so the Ravens could have a two-headed monster in the secondary if all goes as planned. 

Yet, when you think of the position in Baltimore, Ed Reed is the bar and Hamilton hopes to reach out to the Hall of Famer soon. 

"I know he's the GOAT if not a top-two safety ever," stated Hamilton. "Hopefully, I get to pick his brain a little bit and get some knowledge from him. At the end of the day, big shoes to fill, but I feel I'll do everything I can and trust my abilities." 

The 14th overall pick has been pretty good for defensive backs in recent history as Matt Fortuna of The Athletic pointed out on Thursday. 

Darrell Revis, Earl Thomas, Malcolm Jenkins, Karl Joseph and Kyle Fuller were drafted at 14. 

And Hamilton will be more than happy to add his name to that group.

"In terms of falling or sliding like people say, you never really know going into the draft," said Hamilton. "I feel I went to the right team at the end of the day. 10 years later, we'll be looking back at this and I'll be glad I came to the Ravens." 

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