Cowboys 2022 draft profile on Houston DT Logan Hall

The Dallas Cowboys have realized the need at the interior defensive line as of late, and have taken steps to address it. However none of their efforts have resulted in the type of play that can’t be improved upon. There still remains a need to improve the talent base.

Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall is an explosive three-technique who wins with hand battling, explosiveness and heavy hands. The Belton, TX native keeps it low-key off the field, spending his time as many college-age kids do playing video games and tending to his dog. On the field he gains leverage with ease, can split double teams and can anchor against the run. He didn’t have the most productive of collegiate careers, but he possesses tools that if drafted to the right system, with the right coach, his best football is ahead of him.

Measurables and Stats

Listed Height: 6-foot-6

Listed Weight: 283 pounds

Jersey Number: 92

Stats (2021): 24 solo tackles, 47 total tackles

Impact Plays (2021): 13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks

Film Study Information:

Games Watched: Tulsa (2021), Tulane (2021), SMU (2021), Memphis (2021), Connecticut (2021)

Best Game: Tulane (2021)

Worst Game: SMU (2021)

Physical Skills Evaluation:

Explosiveness: Very explosive off the snap, puts pressure on offensive tackles, when he twists. Able to dip and bend inside or outside and get past the offensive lineman.

Pad Level/Leverage: Gains leverage fairly easily, and on a consistent basis. Drops his hips well on bull rushes and establishes leverage. Always is striking upwards with his hands, which tells me he has gained leverage. When an offensive lineman is able to get under him and raise his pads, he is generally rendered ineffective. Able to leverage himself and split double teams.

Pass Rush Plan: Not sure if he has a defined plan, but he has a toolbox of moves and uses them effectively.

Flexibility: Has positional flexibility in the sense he can play end in a 3-4 front or 3 tech in a 4-3 front. Doesn’t have the most prominent ankle flexion to his game, but some is there.

Gap Shooting/Lat. Ability: Able to dip and rip, shoot gaps, and cause early disruption to mess up the running lane.

Performance Evaluation:

Run Defense: Drops his knee and is able to anchor in against the run well. Capable of two gapping.

Versatility: Has a very good motor, never gives up on a play. See him rushing from 5 tech to 3 tech. I think he is scheme versatile, a 5 tech in a 3-4. And a 3 tech in a 4-3.

Strength/Power: Converts speed to power very well, able to collapse the pocket with a bull rush or knock an offensive lineman off balance, to get a clear lane to the QB. Drops his hips and drives his feet when bull rushing.

Block Shedding: Effective at disengaging from blocks fairly quickly with his ability to gain leverage and pass rush arsenal. Don’t see many instances of him stacking and shedding blocks, but it can be developed.

Hand Usage: Has heavy, and active hands, not uncommon to see him stagger an offensive lineman with his initial punch. Able to knock offensive lineman off balance with his swipe. Has a wide toolbox of moves and uses them effectively. Has a nasty swim move, a deadly cross chop. Has a good spin counter he gets to if his swim move fails.

Strengths:

Has very heavy hands, can collapse the pocket with a bull rush or use them to disengage from offensive lineman effectively. Has plenty of moves in his toolbox, and gets to them well. Has a high motor and will chase ball carriers down. Capable of two gapping against the run, and drops one knee to anchor in and not get moved as easily.

Weaknesses:

Doesn’t have a wide range of counters, only saw him use a spin, and while its effective he needs to add more to his toolbox. Doesn’t attack with a true plan, he has a wide toolbox of moves, but didn’t see him attack with any purpose behind them. Has limited playing time and would label him as an average athlete. Not bad by any measure but not great or elite either.

Fit with the Cowboys:

In 2020 the Cowboys drafted Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore with the No. 82 pick. In 2021 they spent two picks at the position, pick 75 was Osa Odighizuwa and pick 192 on Quinton Bohanna. None of them have had a major impact on the defense yet, tallying four sacks, 13 tackles for loss in the combined 4 years of experience of the players. Odighizuwa has had arguably the biggest impact out of the three as he registered 11 QB hits and showed promise to start his rookie season before hitting a wall.

Hall could step in and be a reliable starting three technique for this team on Day 1. He is explosive off the snap, has heavy hands and an array of moves. He needs to develop counters to his game and attack with a true plan. He would be aided by rushing inside of Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence and. Being inside of those edge rushers would leave him with one-on-one scenarios he can benefit from as an inside rusher. He would greatly benefit from having a big one tech next to him so perhaps Dallas hopes Bohanna can develop or they can add one.

Prospect Grade:

Final Grade:

82.5, 2nd round player

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