The EDGE class has some interesting prospects. A few five-star phenoms. A few massively productive players. Even a few physical freaks that could be unrealized superstars. So where does a guy like Derick Hall fit in? He wasn’t a phenom, and he has produced, but not at a crazy level. He isn’t a physically freakish athlete, but he definitely isn’t a slouch. Hall is a well-rounded EDGE, and a team is going to get an NFL talent on the second day of the draft.
Profile
- College: Auburn
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 254 lbs.
- Age: 22 yrs. (March 19, 2001)
- Year: Senior
- Hands: 10″
- Arms: 34.5″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.55
- Vertical Jump: 33.5″
- Broad Jump: 10’7″
- Draft Projection: Second Day
College Career
Hall was a star athlete at Gulfport High School in Mississippi, earning all-state honors in football, starting on the basketball squad, and also starring on the track team. He was a state finalist in the 200-meter dash. As a four-star, Hall received offers from Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Arkansas amongst his 15 offers. After several visits, Hall decided to attend Auburn University.
| Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Def | Def | Def | Def | Def | Fumb | Fumb | Fumb | Fumb | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2019 | Auburn | FR | LB | 7 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2020 | Auburn | SO | LB | 8 | 16 | 5 | 21 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| *2021 | Auburn | JR | LB | 13 | 33 | 19 | 52 | 12.5 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 2022 | Auburn | SR | DL | 12 | 41 | 19 | 60 | 11.5 | 6.5 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Career | Auburn | 99 | 47 | 146 | 29.5 | 19.5 | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Hall started games in all four seasons but made a big impact in his junior season. He had 52 tackles and nine sacks in 2021, playing as a linebacker/EDGE player. Hall earned second-team All-SEC after the season and returned for his senior season.
In 2022, Hall led the Tigers with 12 tackles for a loss and seven sacks, adding 60 tackles, an interception, and forced two fumbles. His play led to first-team All-SEC accolades.
Strengths
The Blend of Power and Speed
Hall has an enticing blend of speed and power. His hands are incredibly powerful, and his calling card will be his ability to convert speed to power. Hall can create some bend but isn’t a guy who will make that a strength. He’s got phenomenal athletic ability and was used in many ways while at Auburn.
The first several sacks in this video showcase the speed, as Hall makes it by the tackle with ease. Then I wanted to include several that show power, hands, and different ways that he wins. Speed is what will set up most of his pass-rushing snaps. Then he can throw in the power and hands or counters as they develop.
Run Defense
When it comes to stopping the run, Hall is good in this area as well. If he is engaged, he recognizes a run developing and can peel off to make a stop. He’s got tremendous reach and can corral a passing ball carrier in a massive area.
These clips showcase a few ways he assists in run defense and how Hall disengages from his pass rush to help. He’s got good instincts and awareness to realize what is developing and then seems to unlock from linemen easily to peel into the lane and stop a ball carrier. I came away impressed with his run defense.
Pass Rushing Prowess
Hall is developing into his role as a pass rusher, and he already has solid groundwork. He can set the edge, and his hands make it tough for tight ends to block him. Speed to power is how he creates his advantage, and the rest of his game is coming along.
Weaknesses
Needs to Develop as Pass Rusher
The fact that his game is coming along is also a weakness. What if this is as good as Hall gets? If he is at his ceiling, he will not be as valuable. He can create mismatches with speed and a wallop of power, but he’s going to need more counters and combinations.
Lack of Bend
As I mentioned above, the inability to create bend consistently will hinder what he can do. Hall will need to couple that speed with a bend. His hips are tight, but a lack of flexibility is evident on his pass-rushing reps.
The Wrap Up
Teams searching for a pass rusher will get a shot to take Hall on the second day of the draft likely. I have seen him mocked late in round one, but I believe day two is more likely. Hall has potential – with speed, power, and athletic ability, coupled with his size, he could be a phenomenal EDGE rusher.
For IDP purposes, Hall is not likely to make much of a dent in scoring his first year but could develop into a decent option. He’s likely going to be an outside linebacker and has the ability to rake in some tackles, but I am not sure he ever breaks the ten-sack threshold consistently. I am targeting him later in the second round or third round of IDP rookie drafts.
The NFL Draft has room for EDGE rushers beyond the first two or three to make an impact; that’s where Hall falls in. He’s got the potential to be a star in the NFL. I could see him having 60 tackles a year with a few turnovers forced and in the eight to ten sack range. Hopefully, his ceiling is higher, and it will depend on development.
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