I may be reading the tea leaves incorrectly, but based on our words and actions, I think Hamilton would be the pick at 2 if the draft were today. Assuming Hutch is gone. Here are the clues I’m reading into:
Campbell stressing they want a day 1 guy that can contribute right away.
Safety is one of our biggest needs and we haven’t added anyone yet.
Campbell said Will Harris is some kind of hybrid S/CB role…aka not penciling him as starting opposite Walker, making the hole at safety even bigger.
Campbell said they wouldn’t not take a player at 2 because of the position he plays. To me, the only positions people would question the positional value of drafting at 2 would be LB, S, TE, IOL, or RB. No other player is being talked about at any of those positions at 2 besides Hamilton.
Did I miss any clues? Am I falling for a smokescreen?
Behind ridiculous to take ANY safety at #2 overall. When the guy runs about the same speed as Evan Neal who weighs 340 pounds, I have major questions. He better be an absolute freak to take a guy in the top 5, more less 2nd overall. Why hasn’t there EVER been a safety taken that high before?? Other teams know how crazy that would be to take a safety that high.
Lastly, by taken Kyle Hamilton at #2 overall, you are paying him the same salary as a top 15 safety in the entire league in his rookie contract.
I read this as them saying they aren’t going to reach for a player just because he plays a position of need. So even if they need a S, they aren’t going to take one just because they play the position. Which is good, because I wouldn’t even take Hamilton at 32, let alone 2.
Personally, I think you shrink the hole at Safety by taking Harris OUT of the equation.
Hamilton might be in play, but I think they are going to take the best talent that fits the team culture and let the roster figure itself out. If they’re analysis says Hamilton is the guy, he’ll be the pick, but my Spidey-sense says otherwise.
I think run defense is something they will be prioritizing, and that can be handled from a number of different angles, including with a ball control offense, but Safety isn’t where you typically start solving run defense. If you’re Safety is ringing up record tackles, it’s usually a sign of failure.
I like Hamilton, I think it would be a solid pick despite the opposing points of view here, but ultimately I don’t think he’ll be the pick.
I agree, but then a thread like this really makes you look at the safety position and you think “gosh, it’s a mess at safety.” But then you look at the LB position and think what a mess that is. However, yes, they need to add to the DT position and eat up a lot of the snaps that went to Nick Williams… oh yea, a dominant edge rusher would be key too.
That’s when it hits you - this defensive roster needs major help.
For me, its all linked. Today’s game is about lighter and faster LB’s that get sideline to sideline. Sure in the first quarter they shed and make plays, but by the time you get into the second half of the schedule, the nicks and dings start to add up. You have to get these guys a higher percentage of clear tackling lanes, and that means controlling the defensive line of scrimmage. Keep those lead blocks from getting to the second level, keep those guys clean. You do that, you keep the percentage chart higher for your linebackers in health and tackling. It’s all linked. You do that, and suddenly your Safeties get to concentrate on coverage. Beef up the middle makes everything easier progressively.
Does it guarantee success? No, but it does increase the percentages.
There’s a reason why Nick Williams carried all those snaps last year, and there’s a reason he’s not going to be invited back. The rookies were still getting their heads screwed on straight and Williams was in the right positions, but failed to get wins in those snaps.
That’s what I was thinking too. They showed interest in Sauce already and Brisker who may be available at 32. If they are happy with their edge, (which I doubt) they could draft Sauce, Brisker, then DT at 34. Maybe DE Bonito is there in the top of the 3rd
Also having a secondary of Sauce and Brisker would smoke the competition
