3 reasons the Detroit Lions should pick Kyle Hamilton second overall

If Aidan Hutchinson is gone, there are three reasons the Detroit Lions should take Kyle Hamilton with the No. 2 overall pick Thursday night.

Positional value debate aside, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is the No. 1 player at his position in the 2022 draft and he’s in the conversation as a top-10 overall pick. The question for the Detroit Lions, or any team considering him in the top-10, is if Hamilton is worthy of such a pick.

Back in late-February, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had this to say in regard to the prospect of the Lions taking Hamilton at No. 2 overall.

“I would have no issues whatsoever with them taking Kyle Hamilton and saying this is a plug and play guy who’s going to give them something they desperately need, and that’s somebody who can make a play.”

Since then, Hamilton’s stock has been dinged by a slow 40 time at the NFL Combine (4.59 seconds). But game tape says he’s plenty fast enough, and can make an immediate impact all over the field.

On the fading notion Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is taken No. 1 overall, here are three reasons the Lions should take Hamilton No. 2.

3 reasons the Detroit Lions should take Kyle Hamilton No. 2 overall (if Aidan Hutchinson is gone)

 No. 1: Kyle Hamilton would be the playmaker the Lions need on defense

There is no doubt that the Lions are working to improve their defense. Head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are re-engineering a unit that gave up and 27.5 points per game (31st in the league) and was 28th against the run (135.1 yards allowed per game) last year. Opposing quarterbacks feasted on the Lions secondary to the tune of a quarterback rating of 101.0 (3rd-worst in the NFL)

 No. 2: Kyle Hamilton could be traded to the 49ers for Deebo Samuel

Deebo Samuel would be the kind of dynamic playmaker the Lions need on offense. The question is if the 49ers are listening to trade offers, or more specifically what it would take to get him. Samuel has reportedly declared he wants out, and the Lions have been prominently mentioned as a possible suitor.

What makes the deal tantalizing to the 49ers? Lynch is a former All-Pro safety and understands the importance of having a tone setter and playmaker in the secondary. The secondary is also the weakest area of the 49ers’ defense.

Another aspect of the trade to consider is the deal could be made anytime after the Lions draft Hamilton. It could happen this Thursday night or the day before training camps open in the fall.

No. 3: Kyle Hamilton could be traded to Seattle for DK Metcalf

The circumstances are almost identical to the Samuel’s situation.  Seattle has a disgruntled wide receiver in DK Metcalf, who is looking for new contracthat puts him in the Hill and Adams range.

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll doesn’t want to lose Metcalf, but the economics say the Seahawks’ hand might be forced.

What makes the deal tantalizing to the Seahawks? Home fans would be pleased to see a new version of the “Legion of Boom” secondary. Hamilton would pair nicely with Jamal Adams at safety.