Pre-Draft Fantasy Prospect
Grade* (out of 50): 45.5
* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For running backs, a player needs to be a
three-down option as well as a realistic threat for 1,000 rushing
yards and 500 receiving yards to be a candidate for a perfect
grade. Positional scarcity at the pro level is also a part of
the equation.
Positives
There are elements of Le'Veon
Bell and DeMarco Murray in Hall's game. He is as patient as
they come and a plus in the passing game (even though Iowa State
did not give him many opportunities to run routes). Yet, for as
patient as he is as a runner, he seems to find a way out of messes
created by backfield penetration on a regular basis. Hall is able
to accomplish that in part because he is unusually quick for a man
of his size (217 pounds). It is rare that his vision and/or instincts
betray him, which should make him a great fit regardless of whether
he is asked to run behind a zone-blocking line or in a power-based
scheme. His excellent vision also shows up on the number of times
he is able to gash the defense on cutback runs. No FBS running back
broke more tackles over the last three seasons (194, per Pro Football
Focus) or had more 15-yard runs over the last two seasons (74) than
the Wichita Northwest High School product. Hall was the most heavily
used running back in the country over the last two seasons, amassing
590 touches while proving he can handle a massive workload. The
cousin of former NFL star Roger Craig also valued the ball throughout
his college career, losing only three fumbles on 800 touches.
Negatives
The bulk of Hall's shortcomings stem more from what he was not
asked to do as opposed to what he didn't or couldn't do. For example,
the Cyclones used him primarily as an outlet receiver or in the
screen game. As a result, Hall rarely was allowed to display any
level of route-running skill. The same can be said about his pass-blocking.
When he did stay in to block, he did not show great technique and
usually resorted to cutting his defender. Only HC Matt Campbell
and his staff know whether or not that was by design or not, but
it is something that Hall needs to prove he can handle if he wants
to be a three-down back right away in the NFL. Despite boasting
solid yard-after-contact and missed tackles forced numbers in 2021,
his averages (per attempt) in both areas (2.8 and .29, respectively)
are not overly inspiring. Some of that inefficiency is the product
of losing the leverage battle more often than he should. It is not
always going to be easy for a running back with his size (6-1) to
get lower than the defender, but he will occasionally run too upright
between the tackles. While durability was not a problem for him
in college, he runs the risk of getting hurt more often in the pros
if he fails to lower his shoulder more often. The last one is a
minor complaint: his timed speed doesn't always show up on film
despite the number of explosive runs he had throughout his career.
Bottom Line
It is relatively rare for the same prospect to be among the most
patient and fastest running backs in his draft class, but such is
the case with Hall. There is more to him than that, however, as
his combination of vision and quickness often leaves linebackers
and safeties grasping at air once he gets to the second level. Even
though pad level can be an issue at times, he boasts impressive
balance and will not go down on first contact very often. While
he did not get to show his route-running prowess off very often
in Ames, there is enough film of him looking comfortable as a pass-catcher
to believe he can do it at a high level and will eventually be a
mismatch for most linebackers. Hall will probably need a fair amount
of work in pass pro, but it seems like that will only take a matter
of time considering how well-rounded the rest of his game is at
this point. Hall profiles as a player who should be his team's featured
back in relatively short order.
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