Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Kyle Hamilton is an athletic freak
Kyle Hamilton scouting report
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 220 pounds
- Arm length: 33 inches
- 40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds
- 2021 PFF grade: 76.1
When looking at the physical traits and measurables alone, it is tough to imagine Kyle Hamilton’s floor being lower than a solid starting player in the NFL.
Hamilton’s ability to stop both inside and outside runs from the strong safety position is the prospect’s best quality. His first step downhill is decisive, the eyes move in perfect motion with his feet, thus allowing him to weave through traffic to make tackles and the Notre Dame product’s instincts in the run game pre-snap and post-snap play a big role in his overall influence.
The lanky safety provides great zone coverage instincts and recognition of specific play concepts on short and intermediate throws. Hamilton reads the quarterback’s eyes, allowing him to jump routes easily and with conviction.
When in deep zone coverage, Hamilton’s athletic ability lets him cover much of the field. In man-to-man against tight ends, he is a lockdown player. But against the quicker and more elusive slot receivers, he will sometimes get beat.
Hamilton’s height is a gift, but it can also slow his feet down, specifically in a backpedal. Despite this, his size is still an advantage. When he plays underneath zone as a box safety, the deeper middle routes have much smaller windows than usual.
This causes those passes to be looked off, deflected, or picked most of the time. Hamilton has the length in one-on-one in deep coverage situations gives him an upper hand on most players.
Even though the junior is great in the run game, he still relies on arm tackles too much at times. In the NFL, Hamilton will not be able to get away with that, but this is something that with proper coaching, can be addressed.
The biggest strength playing coverage for the All-American is his ball skills. Hamilton has exceptional hands, body control, and tracking of the ball. He will be an immediate playmaker intercepting passes.
Hamilton has additionally proven to be a threat in the pass rush off the blitz. The combination of his downhill speed, quick first step, and arm length allow him to regularly pass through blockers and get to the quarterback.
These combined skills point to Hamilton being a threat against the run and the pass on Day 1 at the next level. His football instincts will lead to him being a consistent contributor in the league, but whether that’s with the Carolina Panthers or not remains to be seen.