BROWNS 2024 NFL DRAFT GRADE: CLEVELAND GETS B-PLUS FOR DT MICHAEL HALL JR.
The Browns stayed local with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft with the selection of Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr.
Cleveland waited 54 picks to make their first selection but added a player who can soon make an impact on the defensive line in a tough AFC North. Hall had just 1.5 sacks in 2023 and six in his college career but also had 45 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in his three seasons.
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Hall won't start immediately with veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris still around, but the young defensive tackle should eventually slide in to become one of the key players on Jim Schwartz's defensive line.
Browns 2024 NFL draft grade
Given how the board fell, this was probably the best-case scenario for Cleveland in the middle of the second round. Five other defensive tackles were selected for the Browns' pick, meaning the No. 54 selection was a now-or-never scenario for Cleveland if the team wanted to bring in a starting-caliber player.
Brown 2024 NFL Draft: Every pick by the Browns
While Hall doesn't possess the ideal size at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, his ability to absorb blocks cannot be discounted. Per The Sporting News' Jayson Braddock, Hall played out of position as a 1-technique defensive tackle and excelled better as a 3-tech, where he lined up between the offensive tackle and the guard rather than right in front of the center.
Given the Browns deploy two interior defensive linemen, Hall will have a role. The pick fills a need and was likely the best player available on Cleveland's board.
Grade: B-plus
2024-04-27T01:20:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd