Mel Kiper reveals why Kyle Hamilton is falling down NFL draft boards
ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has updated his projections with a two-round mock draft just over two weeks away from the start of the anticipated event. After a surprise fall for Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton on the board, the former top five lock finds himself outside the top 10.
During the ESPN mock draft special, Mel Kiper explained why he dropped Kyle Hamilton down his board after watching the NFL Combine and the Notre Dame Pro Day.
“Kyle Hamilton is still on the board for Washington at this stage because he ran a sub-par 40 time, or a 40 time that was less than stellar, not what was expected,” said Kiper. “Go to the tape, go back and watch the kid. The range, vertically, horizontally, he does it all on the field, makes plays in every way imaginable. If he’s there at 11 for Washington, I think that would be a heck of a pick.
“At one point we were talking about Kyle Hamilton maybe going No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions, had a heck of a career for Notre Dame. A unique talent, not a rare talent because he didn’t run the incredible 40, but on the field you didn’t find many guys with his kind of range and his ability with that length to pick off passes and break up passes.”
Over three seasons at Notre Dame, Hamilton recorded 138 tackles with eight interceptions and 16 pass deflections. At 6-foot-4, while his speed has become a concern the length remains his greatest physical strength.
Mel Kiper releases mock draft
Mel Kiper has released a brand new two-round mock draft two weeks before the 2022 NFL Draft. As the highly-anticipated event inches closer, Kiper is putting his updated predictions out into the world.
Prior to getting into the meat and potatoes, Kiper explained his process for creating his latest mock draft.
“I’m projecting these 64 picks based on a combination of my updated rankings, team needs and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league,” wrote Kiper. “For the second round, in particular, so much could change between now and when teams are on the clock, so I’m using my Big Board as a guide on value.”
After rising as high as second in many mock drafts, Mel Kiper now has Kyle Hamilton going No. 11 to the Washington Commanders. The significant drop is one of the largest over the past months which is not injury related.