I'm doing an emergency tag in pick for
@PIP.
With the 11th pick in the mock draft,
the Washington Commanders select:
Kyle Hamilton
Safety, Notre Dame
6'4, 221
From his NFL.com profile:
High-impact safety with unique blend of traits and characteristics that make him a bit of a unicorn at the position. Hamilton has the eyes and speed to play over the top, the strength and toughness to play near the line, and coverage length to guard elite pass-catching tight ends who often mismatch opposing defenses. It's rare to find such a ferocious striker and intimidator who has the football intelligence and athletic prowess to go make plays in the passing game, but Hamilton provides it all. He thrives playing downhill or sinking into a robber alignment on the back-end but will have occasional missteps in coverage when in retreat from his pedal. Hamilton has the traits and football character to transition from standout college moments to a standout pro career as a future Pro Bowler with All-Pro potential.
Reasoning:
While safety is definitely a need for the Commanders, it’s not glaring and Kyle Hamilton is someone whom most draft analysts perceive as a lock to go in the top five, let alone the top 10. Washington plays a mediocre weak-side linebacker Cole Holcomb way too many snaps. Hamilton will start in a three safety look, become an even better Jamin Davis, and support Kameron Curl at SS as well. If you like JOK, check out the 6'4 version.
Multiple sources including Thedraftnetwork.com consider him the best player in the draft, which is an incredible value outside of the top ten. Riverboat Ron gets to scheme a special and young defense.
@MGMT is on the clock.