Cleveland Browns got back on the practice field today and kicked off rookie minicamp with their draft picks in helmets for the first time.
The most intriguing of all the six draft picks perhaps is second-round selection Michael Hall Jr., who remains the only rookie not to sign his rookie contract. Hall was out there today along with the other rookies in the new white face masks that will now be permanent.
“I thought Mike did a nice job. Again like you said, first day of school,” Kevin Stefanski said of the rookies showing up for their first day. “To see them take coaching, that’s something that I think is so important for young players. You have to take coaching.”
Coming into the Browns after three years at Ohio State, Hall won’t have to be a starter or impact player with how the defensive tackle room is built. He will work his way up the ladder to be an impact player there. Hall already has goals set out as a rookie in the NFL.
“Just being a leader out here. It doesn’t take age or however many years in the league to be a leader,” Hall said on Friday. Just setting high expectations for myself and just demanding a level of excellence and play out here when I step onto the field.”
Hall was a tad out pass rusher at Ohio State in what was limited usage. The athletic profile that Hall presents at 285+ pounds is intriguing.
“I think Jacques and Jordan Thomas do an outstanding job with our defensive line and if you were watching, he’s in a stance and Jacques is walking around and looking at every foot and where it’s placed, how high he has his rear end, how he’s bending out of that, where his hands are,” Stefanski explained on the coaching that Hall is receiving. ”There is so much nuance that goes into it that he will work really hard at. He did a nice job today and we want to build on that each day.”
Rookie minicamp will run through May 10 for the Browns as it gives them their first chance to look at these recent draft picks.
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