Mel Kiper discusses tool that makes Kyle Hamilton special

Notre Dame fans saw firsthand what impact Kyle Hamilton can make. Wednesday night, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. explained how that impact can translate to the NFL.

Kiper unveiled his first mock draft of the season and projected Hamilton to go No. 4 overall to the New York Jets. While explaining his pick, Kiper broke down what makes Hamilton such a special talent — and why he’d be a great addition in New York.

“You want guys perfect for the way the game is played now,” Kiper said on ESPN2. “Tall. Rangey. Versatile. Dynamic in coverage and also tackling in the open field. Can get after quarterbacks and also has that range to break up passes.

“Kyle Hamilton … didn’t finish [the season due to injury], but we saw enough. There’s enough of a body of work to say this kid is ideally suited to be a real impact player for the Jets on the defensive side of the ball.”

In his three years at Notre Dame, Hamilton had 138 tackles and eight interceptions, including three picks in seven games this year before his injury. He earned Consensus All-American honors this season and cemented himself as a potential top-five pick in April’s NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper: NFL Mock Draft 1.0

1. Jacksonville Jaguars — DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

2. Detroit Lions — DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

3. Houston Texans — OT Evan Neal, Alabama

4. New York Jets — S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

5. New York Giants — OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

6. Carolina Panthers — OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

7. New York Giants (via CHI) — OLB David Ojabo, Michigan

8. Atlanta Falcons — CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU

9. Denver Broncos — ILB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

10. New York Jets (via SEA) — WR Drake London, USC

11. Washington Football Team — QB Malik Willis, Liberty

12. Minnesota Vikings — CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati

13. Cleveland Browns — WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

14. Baltimore Ravens — C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) — ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND) — DE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

17. Los Angeles Chargers — DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

18. New Orleans Saints — QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

19. Philadelphia Eagles — WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

20. Pittsburgh Steelers — QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

21. New England Patriots — WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

22. Las Vegas Raiders — CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

23. Arizona Cardinals — DE George Karlaftis, Purdue

24. Dallas Cowboys — DE Travon Walker, Georgia

25. Cincinnati Bengals — OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

26. Miami Dolphins (via SF) — WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

27. Buffalo Bulls — CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

28. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

29. Kansas City Chiefs — DE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

31. Tennessee Titans — CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

32. Green Bay Packers — TE Trey McBride, Colorado State