2022 NFL Draft: 3 players the Lions should target at No. 2

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Sep 18, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Jack Plummer (13) is helped up after being tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Kyle Hamilton (14) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Is Kyle Hamilton worth the top pick in the draft?

The short answer is no. Consider the times when a defensive back is arguably the best prospect in the draft. Deion Sanders, Darrelle Revis, and Ronnie Lott are examples of when a defensive back was one of the top two or three prospects in the draft, and none of those three went second overall.

Revis was drafted 14th, Sanders went fifth, and Lott went eighth. It isn’t easy to see a scenario where the Lions decide to pick Hamilton with the second overall pick in the draft. That said, he would be worth the selection.

Hamilton could contribute to the pass defense in coverage and as a blitzer. He is one of the most versatile defenders (if not the most versatile defender) in the entire draft. Hamilton can cover the deep half or third as a safety or cover the slot, tight end, or running back.

Defensive backs don’t usually go this high in the draft. If a team were willing to draft a defensive back this high, it would be the Detroit Lions. They drafted Jeff Okudah third in 2020; Hamilton would be a fantastic pairing with Okudah in the secondary.

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