Where Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton is projected to go in NFL Mock Drafts

It’s NFL Mock Draft season. That means it’s former Notre Dame All-American safety Kyle Hamilton season.

Various national sports media outlets have released mock drafts this week, and to no surprise Hamilton has shown up in the top 10 of just about all of them. He’s roughly three months away from receiving a substantial payday if all goes smoothly during the pre-draft process.

Hamilton declared for the 2022 NFL Draft just a few days after Marcus Freeman was named the new head coach of the Fighting Irish in early December. Hamilton missed the final five regular season games of 2021 with a knee injury and decided to opt out of the Fiesta Bowl.

PROMOTION: Sign up for $1 for first year and receive a free Blue & Gold Founders Club hat

Hamilton had 138 total tackles, 7.5 for loss, 16 passes defended, eight interceptions and one touchdown in 31 games (19 starts) in his Notre Dame career. The 2021 team captain received an extensive array of postseason honors in each of the last two years.

The numbers and accolades only have a little to do with Hamilton’s NFL Draft hype. Just watch some film of the 6-4, 220-pound safety and it’ll become evident very quickly why scouts from professional teams are all over the Atlanta (Ga.) Marist School product.

Here’s where Hamilton is projected to get picked this spring in early mock drafts and what each outlet has to say about him.

The Athletic (Dan Brugler)

The Pick: First round, No. 7 overall to the New York Giants

The analysis: “Safety isn’t the most glaring need on the Giants’ depth chart, but with a new general manager and head coach, they will be looking to draft impact players, above everything else, in the top 10. And Hamilton might be the most talented player in the draft, regardless of position.

“At 6-3 and 218 pounds, Hamilton is a super-sized safety with the range and length to be a matchup weapon in the NFL. Though his physical traits stand out, it is his football IQ that is most impressive, sensing what is about to happen and being disruptive.”

Revisiting the BlueandGold.com top 25 most important Notre Dame players, Nos. 15-6

ESPN (Mel Kiper)

The pick: First round, No. 4 overall to the New York Jets

The analysis: “The Jets had big defensive issues in Robert Saleh’s first season as coach, from the front seven to the secondary. They didn’t get after quarterbacks, and they couldn’t cover pass-catchers, which is a recipe for another top-five draft pick. Hamilton would fill a void at safety, especially if Marcus Maye leaves in free agency.

“Six-foot-4, 220-pound Hamilton has rare traits for his size, and he can play in the box or as a center fielder (he had eight career interceptions for the Fighting Irish). He was one of the most versatile defenders in college football for the past three seasons. Hamilton played in only seven games in 2021 because of a knee injury, but I’m told he’ll be ready to work out at the NFL combine in March. The Jets also pick at No. 10, and they could get help on offense there.”

Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer)

The pick: First round, No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons

The analysis: “When serving as the offensive coordinator with the Titans, Arthur Smith got to see the big-time playmaking impact of Kevin Byard at safety. His secondary needs that kind of player in Atlanta to better support young top-flight corner A.J. Terrell. The Falcons had some of the worst play at the position in the league in 2021.”

Lucky Charms: More on Notre Dame football’s pursuit on Andrew Paul, Malik Muhammad & more

CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson)

The pick: First round, No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans

The analysis: “Justin Reid is in the final year of his deal for Houston, and while the team could certainly look to bolster the offensive line, or perhaps be in the market for a QB, the Texans will need first to find a head coach. Hamilton meanwhile, is coming off a spectacular season for the Fighting Irish where he was routinely the best player on the field.”

Who could be the next Notre Dame defensive coordinator? Some names to watch as search carries on

Pro Football Focus (Austin Gayle)

The pick: First round, No. 6 overall to the Carolina Panthers

The analysis: “Safety isn’t a premium position, and it is relatively low on the positional value chart because of it, but Kyle Hamilton is different. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the Notre Dame star legitimately has all of the sideline-to-sideline range, size and ball skills to be a game-changer, regardless of scheme or role at the next level.”

NBC Sports (Adam Hermann)

The pick: First round, No. 11 overall to The Washington Football Team

The analysis: “Washington looks at the QB landscape and decides to ride with Taylor Heinicke instead of forcing a pick in a lesser QB crop. Instead the Football Team opts for at 6-foot-4, 219 pound safety who can change their defense. Hamilton seems like the big-bodied, ballhawk-y type of playmaker you can build a secondary around, not just another piece in the unit. In 31 career games with the Fighting Irish he notched eight interceptions, 16 passes defended, and 7.5 tackles for loss.”