5th Round (#162)
Deiondre Hall – CB/S – Northern Iowa
Strengths: Excellent frame with almost unheard of arm length for his size. Has quality speed and quickness to be able to keep up with receivers in both short area, and down the field. Great ball skills, and has good hands to capitalize. Strong tackler who doesn’t shy away from contact. Captain’s mentality and shows a team-first attitude. Excellent Special Teams player who has a knack for getting his hand on the ball.
Weaknesses: Concerns that he may have maxed out his frame. Mechanics need work, especially his feet. Plays very reactionary and doesn’t anticipate or show early recognition of what opponent is giving him. Doesn’t utilize the best angles to get after the ball carrier. Relies too much on his physical ability rather than understanding nuances of the game. Questions about competition level due to being an FCS player. Did not hold up well at the Senior Bowl.
The Fit: Another carryover from last week, Deiondre Hall is one of my favorite prospects. Done in conjunction with the Jatavis Brown pick, this could set the Chiefs up at safety for years to come. Hall is a cornerback by trade, but shows the quality traits of a good safety.
That versatility makes him even more attractive for KC. Hall is the kind of player that can stay on the field for a large number of snaps because he won’t be pigeonholed into just one role. The fewer substitutions Sutton has to make on defense, the better off the group will be. It puts an added bit of pressure on the opposing offense when you don’t have to go into sub packages to line up against their different looks.
Next: A Future Pass Rushing Star?