Redskins Draft Shaun Dion Hamilton in Round 6

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April 28, 2018; Updated 9:05 p.m. ET

by Steve Thomas

The Washington Redskins traded up 9 spots in round 6 to draft Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton with the 23rd pick, 197th overall.  Hamiliton is the second defensive player from Alabama from this year’s draft headed to the nation’s capital, and the 4th in two years.  According to NBC Sports Washington reporter Rich Tandler, the Redskins surrendered pick 205 in the 6th round and pick 231 in the 7th and acquired pick 197 and the final pick of the draft, pick 256.

Hamilton, who is 6’0”, 228 pounds and was his high school valadictorian, joins fellow rookie teammate Da’Ron Payne and 2017 rookies Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson in the Redskins revamped defensive front 7.  He played 4 years for the Crimson Tide, competing in 33 games in 4 years for Alabama, posting 65 solo tackles, 69 assisted tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions.  Hamilton’s principal downside has been his injury history.  He tore his right ACL in the 2016 SEC Championship Game, and then fractured his right kneecap in November, 2017.  He played a total of 9 games as a senior, making 20 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, and 2.5 sacks before his injury.  Hamilton is a very smart, technically sound player who was trusted by Alabama coaches as the primary defensive signal caller when he played.

Hamilton did the bench press at the 2018 NFL Combine, doing 16 reps at 225 pounds.  His 40 yard dash time was projected in the 4.6 second range.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden made note of Hamilton’s intelligence, stating, “obviously a leader of that defense at Alabama, one of the smarter players that I’ve heard about on that defense communicated.”  Gruden further addressed Hamilton’s injury situation, providing that “our trainers we feel like he’s going to be good to go.”

Hamilton addressed his health situation, saying “My knee is doing really good. I’m cleared to do all football activities. I’m just continuing to rehab and things like that. I’m about 85-90 percent right now, so I’m going to be full speed by the time of training camp.”  He also stated that his former Alabama position group teammate, Anderson, actually gave him a heads up about the possibility of him being drafted by the Redskins, stating that “Ryan Anderson actually texted me Thursday morning saying, ‘Be on the lookout,’ then Friday he texted me also and told me, ‘[We’re] coming to get you, man.’ ”

Hamilton described himself as a physical player, providing that “I think that I can bring a physical linebacker who is tough, a guy who is going to be the signal caller, a guy who is going to make the coaches’ job easier and the guy who’s going to be able to make the plays. Just a natural-born winner so I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. It’s all about the team, not about myself.”

There is no doubt that Hamilton would have been drafted much higher but for his injury concerns, so if he can stay on the field, the Redskins will have gotten a steal for their linebacker corps.  He is an inside backer who will join starters Mason Foster and Zach Brown, and will compete for playing time with Martrell Spaight and others.  His injury status  will be his principal question mark going forward.  Hamilton has the potential to be a big asset for Washington.

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