Is Derick Hall Micah Parsons 2.0?

That is quite a comparison to weigh when it comes to Auburn’s edge Derick Hall, but while watching his 2022 game film, that is what was going through my mind.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons won the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and his style of play is what has me wondering.

I’ve taken a ton of flak for my hot takes on Parsons. Granted, pre-draft I put a first-round grade on him when he was coming out of Penn State, but I also labeled him as an “explosive underachiever.”

Parsons has worn my scouting report as a badge of honor and he has lived up to my words. Of course, everyone tends to just watch the ball during the games, but if you just watched Parsons, you’d see he takes about half the plays off when he is on the field.

Hall does the same thing.

First-Round ability

Parsons taught me a valuable lesson. He taught me guys can be viewed as superstars in the NFL who only give 50%, provided that 50% is special.

There is no question Hall flashes first-round ability.

He took over the Missouri game with two monster sacks, and in 2021 Pro Football Focus stated he produced 3.36 pressures per game.

That’s what this is all about defensively in the NFL – – pocket disruption.

Musical chairs

The true mark of a scout is to see attributes in a college prospect and be able to better project those attributes to another position successfully at the next level.

When I looked at Hall on his 2021 game film and wrote an article earlier, “Derick Hall is a First-Round Talent With a Seventh-Round Motor,” the thought of moving him to linebacker went through my mind back then.

I had the same thought watching him on his 2022 game film.

Hall belongs at linebacker in the NFL, he should not be lining up on the edge.

Some team needs to draft Hall and do exactly what Dallas has done with Parsons.

Part-time help wanted

Hall is the type of defender who can put together a whale of a highlight tape.

However, this is why at First Round Mock we watch the full body of work. We grind the film and we don’t sing with the choir.

Hall flashes the ability to be a strong run defender who can make crushing tackles when he wants to, but most of the time he could care less about the run.

In three games, I literally tallied 50 times in my notes, Hall looked as soft as tissue paper while “defending” the run.

It reminded of watching Parsons against the 49ers in the playoffs last year.

Hall’s potential

If an NFL general manager catches the vision I have when watching Hall on game film, selects him and puts him in a free lance position, Hall will make noise.

He may turn out to be a steal.

Hall needs to go to a contending team like Parsons did.

#29 Derick Hall 6-foot-3, 256 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Bust Probability: Medium

Projected by 9.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 17, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Ole Miss, Penn State and Missouri (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 52 tackles (33 solo, 19 assists), 9.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

2022 stats: 60 tackles (41 solo, 19 assists), 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception

Note: 84 pressures in four seasons (thedraftnetwork.com)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Chiseled athlete with long arms, good speed, brute strength and an inconsistent motor. Flip flops from side to side. Possesses the necessary speed and power to bend the edge in passing situations, but tends to get hung out to dry when he lets his foot off the gas. Flashed bull rush power and moves. Can close fast. Has range to get out to the sideline in support. Drops effectively into coverage short-range against backs and receivers. He can run. Made most of his run stops when he was left unblocked, but showed he can occasionally fight through blocks to make hard tackles. Has playmaking ability.

Final words

Don’t be surprised when Hall is in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He doesn’t have Parsons’ elite speed, but he is fast enough. Plus, he has the kind of bullish power Parsons can only dream of.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.