“He’s a pretty versatile player. He plays everywhere. I think he knows, more than anybody in the way he approaches it, that he can get better. A lot better even than he is right now.” The Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said these words in 2023 about their safety Kyle Hamilton. He was becoming a force that’s rare in the league. The 24-year-old is a versatile player and a solid part of their defense. 2025 is the last year of his rookie contract, and the franchise will try to sign an extension before his valuation soars high next year.

The Ravens picked the Notre Dame athlete in the first round (14th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed his 4-year, $16.25 million rookie contract in 2022. Kyle Hamilton earned Pro Bowl selections in the last 2 years. Overall, in 3 seasons for far, he has played 48 games (38 started) and recorded 5 interceptions (1 for a touchdown), 27 defended passes, 4 forced fumbles, 7 sacks, and 250 tackles (186 solo). Those are some impressive numbers there.

However, how big a deal will John Harbaugh offer? Currently, the highest paid safety in the NFL is Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Buccaneers, with a 4-year $84 million contract. He is the only one with an offer of more than $80 million. Overall, there are 9 safeties in the league with a $50 million contract or higher. So, that might be the ballpark where Hamilton would like to land.

While the HC is focused on keeping his defense intact, the O-line also needs attention. They want a team that can win games come crunch time – the playoffs. It starts with the men around their two-time MVP QB, Lamar Jackson.

John Harbaugh predicted to draft linemen

3 years ago, the Ravens drafted the offensive guard Daniel Faalele in the 4th round (110th overall). He was the heaviest rostered player in the league at 384 pounds. In his first 2 seasons, Faalele recorded 8 sacks allowed from 192 pass snaps. But he changed it all last year. HC John Harbaugh supported him and moved him to the inside. It helped him and the team, as he had only 2 sacks allowed on 541 pass snaps.

In January early this year, he became an AFC Pro Bowl alternate. The entire team was on Cloud 9. The head coach even roasted some of those close to him who wanted to replace the guard. It was a significant moment. And the 4th-round pick is another well-suited player for an extension. But other reports are coming in that claim finances might be an obstacle to him continuing in purple.

According to Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine, the Ravens will sign a replacement for the guard. He wrote, “At first glance, the 2022 fourth-rounder is a prime candidate to be extended, but the Ravens are going to be pouring a lot of money into Linderbaum’s new contract. Letting someone else pay Faalele in a year and drafting his replacement would allow them to have continuity while keeping cost low.”

Donovan Jackson (Ohio State), Tyler Booker (Alabama), and Grey Zabel (North Dakota) are the 3 top prospects available in the coming draft. But it will not be an easy task. The Ravens do have 11 picks available this year though, enough to bring in younger, talented players. The countdown is on.