Conducting their final set of voluntary organized team activities ahead of next week’s mandatory minicamp, the Ravens now have both of their first-round picks under contract, leaving just five of their draft choices unsigned.
Baltimore announced the signing of safety and 14th overall pick Kyle Hamilton to his four-year rookie contract on Tuesday, which comes five days after center and 25th overall pick Tyler Linderbaum inked his deal. According to NFL Network, Hamilton’s slotted $16.255 million deal is fully guaranteed and includes a signing bonus of just over $9 million. The Ravens rookies yet to sign include second-round outside linebacker David Ojabo and four of their record six fourth-round picks: offensive tackle Daniel Faalele, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, tight end Charlie Kolar, and punter Jordan Stout. Fourth-round cornerback Damarion Williams signed his rookie contract on Tuesday morning.
The four-year deals for Hamilton and Linderbaum each carry a fifth-year team option for the 2026 season. Those option decisions must be made before their fourth season.
With the Ravens having a deep group of safeties that includes premium free-agent signing Marcus Williams and veteran starter Chuck Clark, it remains unclear whether the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hamilton will start to open the 2022 season, but there’s little doubt that he’ll be heavily involved in a defense that values depth in the secondary and various looks in sub packages. Despite Hamilton’s so-so 40-yard dash time leading to some pre-draft concerns about his speed at the next level, coaches have liked what they’ve seen from the Notre Dame product during spring workouts.
Hamilton became just the third safety to be selected by the Ravens in the first round in their 27-year history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed (2002) and draft bust Matt Elam (2013).
“As advertised — he’s doing the things that we’re expecting him to do,” defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said last week. “Really, with any rookie and the young guys, the challenge for them is keep finding new stuff to screw up. There are a couple things that have happened over the first few days, but he’s gotten them corrected. And with the rookies, it’s a lot because it’s something new every day, so you’re trying to learn the new things and fix the other things.
“He’s right on schedule, but we don’t tell him that — try to provide some sense of urgency for him. But he’ll get there. I’m really pleased with Kyle.”
The Ravens will hold their third and final open OTA for reporters on Wednesday and will conduct their three-day mandatory minicamp from June 14-16.
