One of the Ravens’ smartest players, Hamilton is still ascending as he enters his prime. Secondary Coach Chuck Pagano, who is in his 19th year coaching in the NFL, compared Hamilton’s mental abilities to Ravens Hall of Famer Ed Reed.

“They pick up the defense so fast. They’re out there, and they’re not thinking about our calls. They’re not thinking about our scheme,” Pagano said. “He’s one step ahead.”

A Pro Bowler the past two years and first-team All-Pro in 2023, Hamilton posted a career-high 107 tackles last season with two sacks, four tackles for loss, one interception, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Among safeties who played at least 20% of the defensive snaps, Hamilton had the second-highest grade from Pro Football Focus last season. Only the Lions’ Kerby Joseph, who signed a four-year $86 million contract extension in April, was graded higher. But Joseph doesn’t offer Hamilton’s position flexibility.

Last season, Hamilton was the NFL’s top safety in defensive yards per completion allowed (7.76). He became the NFL’s first defensive back since 2011 to record at least 10 tackles and one pass deflection in three consecutive games.

In 2023, Hamilton’s 10 tackles for loss were the most in a single season by a defensive back in Ravens franchise history, surpassing Reed. Hamilton also became the youngest Raven in franchise history to have a game with multiple interceptions (in San Francisco).

“I think one of the things you love about Kyle is he’s kind of a unicorn,” DeCosta said. “He can do many different things. He does them all very well.”

Just as he’s a unique player, Hamilton is also a unique person. Possibly the smartest player on the team, Hamilton said he plans to maybe buy a watch and put the rest in the piggy bank. He plans on doing some philanthropic work and helping his family. His mom always told him, “money just makes you more of who you already are.”

Hamilton doesn’t plan on changing much. He’ll approach work the same way and the same goal.

“I think you check a lot of boxes off, hopefully, throughout your football career. And not toot my own horn, but I feel like I’ve checked a good bit,” he said. “Super Bowl still has yet to be checked. … So, we want to get greedy with that. We want to do that now, as soon as possible, and stack them.”