The highest a safety has ever been taken in the NFL draft’s modern era was second overall as UCLA’s Eric Turner had that honor when the Cleveland Browns called his name in 1991. Could Turner’s place in history be challenged by Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton this spring though?
According to a recent mock draft on CBS Sports done by Chris Trapasso he could. Trapasso released his latest mock draft on Thursday morning and calls for Kyle Hamilton to be drafted by the Lions second overall.
“Hamilton has the size and tools to go this high, and the Lions need a true defensive playmaker” Trapasso says.
As was much of the conversation with Quenton Nelson ahead of the 2018 NFL draft, if you take a player at Hamilton’s position that high then because of positional value, he better turn out to be a Hall of Famer. In Nelson’s case early returns are that he’s on that trajectory.
Hamilton is the best safety prospect in years. As much as I don’t wish a career with the Detroit Lions on anyone (not that my hometown Chicago Bears are any better), my feelings wouldn’t be hurt if they chose him over Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan, even if I’m guessing we won’t hear Hamilton’s name called until at least the third pick to Houston.
Related: