Notre Dame football: NFL Scout says Kyle Hamilton could go No. 1 overall
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team has not had a first-round pick in a few years, but that is about to change in a big way this April.
This April, the Notre Dame football team is sure to break their first-round drought in NFL Drafts, as safety Kyle Hamilton is projected to be a top-10 pick. In some mock drafts, Hamilton is expected to go as high as the top-3, this after a standout career in South Bend where he proved to be one of the elite players in the country.
His final season in South Bend did not go as planned, however, as he was injured during the USC game and never returned. With his eyes set on the 2022 NFL Draft, Hamilton decided not to test his injury in the Fiesta Bowl, where the Irish could have certainly used his help on the defensive side of the ball.
As we are only a few weeks away from the draft, we are starting to hear some rumblings that Hamilton could fall in the first round. However, in a recent article by Matt Lombardo, FanSided’s NFL Insider, the narrative was the opposite surrounding this elite defensive back.
Notre Dame football star going No. 1 overall?
In the piece, one NFL scout is pretty bullish on Hamilton, stating that not only is he one of the best players in this draft class, but a guy who could end up being the first player off the board.
"“He could legitimately go No. 1 overall,” an NFL scout tells FanSided. “His range and football IQ are easily his best traits, and I just can’t see how he would slide anywhere past No. 7 (Giants) or No. 10 (Jets).”"
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and most experts believe they are going to target their edge rusher spot with the selection. While I see Hamilton as arguably the best overall player in this draft class, I do not see him going No. 1 overall, but No. 2 is certainly in play.
Dan Campbell is a defensive guru and someone who coaches with the same kind of fire Hamilton plays with, so do not rule out the Detroit Lions.
The Irish have not had a No. 1 overall pick since Walt Patulski was taken by the Buffalo Bills back in 1972, and Rick Mirer is the highest-drafted Irish in recent memory, going No. 2 overall in 1993. Hamilton could match Mirer’s No. 2 draft slot, but if he is taken No. 1 overall, it would be a strong look for this Notre Dame football program.