PFF, ESPN release updated NFL Draft projections for Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton

After the conclusion of the 2021 season and with the 2022 NFL Draft just over three months away, mock drafts are becoming more and more frequent. Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema and ESPN’s Mel Kiper released their latest first-round thoughts, including potential landing spots for likely top-10 selection and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.

PFF: Houston Texans in need of secondary help

The Texans certainly need secondary reinforcements, and Hamilton could provide a much-needed spark if they elect to chose him with their No. 3 overall pick. Houston had the second-worst total defense in the NFL this season, and the 242.2 passing yards they allowed per game ranked 23rd. Additionally, safety Justin Reid’s rookie contract has come to an end, opening up a need for help at the position.

Hamilton, who amassed 34 tackles, four passes broken ups and three interceptions in just over six games this season, is an elite talent who could help plug that void.

However, as Sikkema cites, it is difficult to determine exactly what the front office in Houston is thinking about the future of the team.

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“Executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby and general manager Nick Caserio have already made a handful of decisions against the grain in the last year and a half,” Sikkema wrote.

Further, the Texans are still searching for a new head coach after firing David Culley. While it is clear Houston could use a player like Hamilton, questions remain as we approach the April NFL Draft.

ESPN: Hamilton No. 4 available player overall

While Kiper’s latest projections were not team-specific, he lists Hamilton as the fourth-best available prospect heading into April, a ranking which remains unchanged from Kiper’s last iteration. The NFL Draft guru cites Hamilton’s size and versatility as his biggest upside.

“There aren’t many safeties with Hamilton’s size and speed,” Kiper said in his latest list. “Hamilton has the size to move up to the line of scrimmage and help in the running game and the speed and range to cover pass catchers out of the slot.”

According to PFF, Hamilton played 227 snaps — 52 percent of all his plays — in the slot. In 2019 and 2020 combined, that number was just 210 snaps, 22 percent of his plays.

Both Sikkema and Kiper have the same top-five prospects, they are just in a different order. Hamilton falls behind both Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson in Kiper’s rankings, while he is ahead of Thibodeaux on Sikkema’s list.

In his first team-specific mock draft released last week, Kiper had Hamilton going to the New York Jets at No. 4. He spoke with fellow ESPN reporter Todd McShay about Hamilton on Monday.

“He is more than just a safety,” Kiper said. “He’s a rangy, tall, athletic, do-it-all type … who can also become basically a linebacker/safety combo guy. His range and his athletic ability separates him from any true safety in the recent drafts, so he’s a different entity entirely. 

“I think for the Jets, who need a player like this, he makes a lot of sense and they have another pick right after that … I think Hamilton’s perfect for the way the game’s played today in the NFL, and he brings an incredible amount of talent to that secondary. And I think Robert Saleh will be very excited if they get him at No. 4 to bring him into the fold.”

Owusu-Koramoah named to multiple rookie lists

While Hamilton is headed to the NFL for his first year, former Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah just wrapped up his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. It was quite impressive.

Earlier this month, the versatile linebacker was named to PFF’s list of top 25 rookies for the 2021 season. Owusu-Koramoah came in at No. 13. He was also named to the Pro Football Writers Association’s All-Rookie team, joining Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Nick Bolton of the Kansas City Chiefs as the linebackers to make the list.

The Virginia native played in 14 games this year and made 10 starts. He amassed 76 tackles, four pass break ups, three tackles for loss, two fumbles and 1.5 sacks. He ranked second on the team in tackles.

When the 2020 ACC Defensive Player of the Year was left on the draft board until the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, many said he was a huge steal. Apparently, they were right.