Teenager selected as one of the top 100 players, two safeties are formidable

In an exclusive interview, we caught up with two rising stars from last season—the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton, 23, and the Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr., 25—both of whom made impressive debuts on the annual All-Pro team. Their peers recognized their talents by placing them at 43rd and 46th, respectively, in the recent Top 100 player voting.

Kyle Hamilton’s performance last year was nothing short of spectacular. As a full-time starter in his second season, he showcased jaw-dropping explosiveness on the field. His aggressive playstyle posed significant challenges for both quarterbacks and running backs, particularly when he blitzed the line of scrimmage. Although he clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.59 seconds, his quick reactions made him feel even faster during games. His speed and ability to cover ground provided a sense of security to the defensive line.

Hamilton has also proven to be a reliable support for cornerbacks. His speed and game-reading skills led to an impressive 13 pass breakups, the highest among safeties in the league, along with four interceptions.

On the other side, Antoine Winfield Jr. made his mark as a fiercely proactive player, landing 46th in the rankings for the first time. Playing as a strong safety, he relentlessly pursued targets, even when faced with blockers. Last season, he made several crucial plays near the goal line to disrupt opponents and displayed his aggressive style reminiscent of a basketball powerhouse. Impressively, he had a missed tackle rate of just 5.2%.

Winfield’s impact on the game was evident in his six forced fumbles and four recoveries, placing him among the leaders in defensive plays. His ability to change the course of a game secured him a four-year, $84.1 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid safety in the league and the first to achieve that milestone as a second-tier player.