Browns pick Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. at No. 54 in NFL draft: What they said

BEREA — The Browns brought the local boy home with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Streetsboro High School and Ohio State defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. in the second round with the No. 54 overall pick.

Hall filled a major need for the Browns. While they brought back four of their top five defensive tackles from last year — save for Siaki Ika, who they selected in the third round last April — are around the 30-year-old range.

Following the selection, Browns assistant general managers Glenn Cook and Catherine Raiche addressed the media to talk about the pick. Hall, shortly after, also spoke about being taken by his hometown team.

Here's a look at five things they said:

Mike Hall Jr. on staying home to start his NFL career

One of the biggest proponents for the Browns to take Hall pre-draft was another Northeast Ohio native and former Ohio State Buckeye, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Hall was asked about playing with Ward, the Nordonia High School graduate, as well as for his hometown team.

"I mean, two Ohio guys growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, is just a great feeling," Hall said. "We know we're real familiar with the area and to stay here our whole career, I mean, from Pop Warner to high school, middle school to college, to Ohio State, and then still staying home at the top of the peak of the level. So it's just great."

Catherine Raiche on questions about Mike Hall Jr. being 'undersized'

One of the biggest question marks about Hall through the draft process surrounded his size. He was measured at 6-foot-2 3/4, and weighed in at 290 pounds at the NFL combine in February, although his weight at the Ohio State pro day in March was 299 pounds.

"I think when you look at how we play the position and how we ask our guys to get off the ball and how athletic they need to be and how quick they need to be, that's what Michael is going to bring to the table," Raiche said. "I mean, (defensive coordinator) Jim (Schwartz) got on the phone with him, gave him a quiz and he was ready to roll and he is about to be the engine of this defense and, I'm not going to use the words that they used, but let's just say mess things up in the front there. So I think that's what he's going to bring to the table."

Mike Hall Jr. on playing for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz

Hall, as a defensive lineman, is right in the wheelhouse of Schwartz's scheme. That's something that has Hall incredibly intrigued.

"He knows exactly what he's talking about, and you just got to go out there. You got to be physical, you got to play hard, be the engine of the defense, and that's their whole philosophy. The D line is messing up everything else, and we got to be the anchor of the defense for sure. So I mean, the rush shape came natural. The tough coach, he's going to love on you a little bit for sure, but he's going to be on, he's going to bring the best out of you, and I appreciate that.

Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook on Mike Hall Jr. playing as a rookie

The goal every team has for every draft pick, especially in the first three rounds, is for them to eventually make a major contribution. The question for Hall will be if he can crack the veteran-laden rotation the Browns have at defensive tackle.

“He's got to earn it," Cook said. "Just like all our guys, we'd love if he did. Look, you can never, (Raiche) just said it, you can never have enough guys who can impact the quarterback, impact the passing game. So again, he's got to come in, obviously integrate himself into the way we do things, but we hope he does.

“But we try to position ourselves where we don't feel like we need to force him to do that. This is one of those things where hopefully he reaches his maturity and his peak in a few years. We're not necessarily worried about Day One. Does Michael Hall come in and play 80 snaps? He's got to earn it. So Day One is just coming in, being on time, being in the right place and then we'll see what it looks like in September.”

Mike Hall Jr. on becoming a father last September

Mike Hall Jr. became the father to Mike Hall III in September, something he acknowledged was a major reason for him to forgo his final two seasons of eligibility at Ohio State for the NFL. It's also been a life-changing event unlike anything else.

"It's been a greatest addition in my life for sure," Hall said. "Teaching me a lot of patience, just being a great tole model for my son. I mean, it's just the best feeling for him to even be around this and witnessing this and he's in all the videos and just give him something good to look back on. Like, 'dang, my dad did something real positive.'"

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns pick Ohio State's Mike Hall Jr. at No. 54: What they said