2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Michael Hall Jr.

Strengths

• Impressive athlete with explosive traits, high-end lateral ability, and length
• Violent hands do a good job of making the first impactful contact
• Impressive growth from 2022 to 2023
• Returned to Ohio State much more aggressive and confident in his technique and pass-rush plan
• Added multiple new pass-rush moves in 2023, including an impressive swim move, cross chop, and hook counter
• Also displayed a spin move and a rip move on tape occasionally, likely still being workshopped

Weaknesses

• Gets blown out of run lanes when double-teamed or gripped by more powerful blockers
• Needs to make first impactful contact and develop counters to power
• Tends to play too tall when moving laterally or stunting outside
• Has the athletic ability to drop his hips and re-leverage into contact but must learn to do it consistently
• Was used in a heavily rotational role with lots of stunts and games at Ohio State
• Could be limited to pass-rush snaps and used in a heavily rotational role at the NFL level

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Michael Hall Jr.

When I turned on Michael Hall Jr.'s 2022 tape, I saw an undersized player with impressive raw traits. Those traits translated into splash plays as a pass rusher, but the results were extremely boom or bust. He had a nice lateral move and used it with a two-hand swipe on occasion.

When I turned on the 2023 tape, I tempered my expectations. I wanted to see some growth from Hall and maybe a new pass-rush move. Instead, I saw a wicked swim move paired with a nice cross-chop. On top of that, I saw an occasional hook counter, a rip move, and even a spin move. Hall added multiple moves to his bag in one offseason while becoming more confident and aggressive overall. Hall has shown rapid technical growth over the last year. That year-over-year growth is something that I covet.

In 2023, Hall was better able to hold the point against the run and make explosive plays. However, he still struggles against double teams. Often, it felt like teams ran straight at him when given the opportunity. That resulted in a mixed bag of explosive stops and highlight-reel runs. I'm not sure Hall will ever be an overly reliable player against the run, limiting his versatility to play in a 3-4 defensive end role. But the interior pass rush upside is extremely enticing.

The Chicago Bears could be in the market for a penetrating three-technique this offseason. However, I wonder if Hall might be redundant to Zacch Pickens on the Bears roster, that being a rotational pass rusher on the interior. I'd expect the Bears to look for a three-technique that provides more juice every down, possibly earlier in the draft or through free agency.

Pro Comp: Osa Odighizuwa