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2021 NFL Draft Profile: San Diego State CB Darren Hall
What do the experts say about the Aztecs cornerback?
Contact/Follow @ErwinSports & @MWCwire
How does Hall’s skill set translate in the NFL?
Darren Hall was selected in the 4th round by the Atlanta Falcons, at pick #108.
https://twitter.com/_Darrenhall/status/1388531054575640577?s=19
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1388528485233201154?s=19
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1388528940579540993?s=19
Darren Hall has built up his resume as a top cornerback at San Diego State for the past three seasons. He was named to the first team All-Mountain West defense in 2020, recording 30+ tackles and three interceptions last season. As one of the Mountain West’s top corners, he could become one of the most coveted players in this year’s draft outside the power conferences.
Measurables
Strengths
Hall is a ball hawk with good instincts guessing where the opposing quarterback will go. He’s unafraid of getting physical and supporting against the run, too, recording 134 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss over the last three season. To that end, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler uses “physical” to describe both Hall’s open-field tackling and jam technique, making him a potential asset in press man coverages.
He’s only recorded six interceptions in that same timeframe, but his three picks in 2020 ranked second in the Mountain West and are supplemented by 25 passes defended (including 16 in 2019, which ranked in a tie for first in the FBS… with former Aztec cornerback Luq Barcoo). He’s been a consistent guy upon which the Aztecs could rely.
Because of the Aztec defense, which typically plays in a 3-3-5, Hall has been really good with over-the-top help and can thrive in the NFL as a nickel corner.
Furthermore, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has that he “studies quarterback and plays with anticipation” and that he is “very good feel for timing and playing receivers’ hands.”
Weaknesses
Size could be a mild concern at the next level since, at six feet and 190 pounds, bigger receivers could outmatch him physically. Through his time at San Diego State, he’s been suspect in man coverage, too, and playing him at the outside corner in the NFL would be a disservice to his current skills. He only had six passes defended in 2020, but that could be due to increased scouting from opposing teams.
NFLDraftBuzz.com writes that “he has questionable technique” and that he is also “vulnerable to big plays trying to bait the quarterback.” Those are details with which Brugler agrees, as well, adding that Hall can “get his hips turned the wrong way” and get himself into trouble.
Draft Projection
CBS ranks Hall as the 20th-best cornerback prospect, while The Athletics ranks him at #28 and NFLDraftBuzz.com has him lower at #52. His ceiling appears to be a borderline 5th-round selection and his floor is sliding to undrafted free agency.
MWWIRE prediction: Darren Hall goes in the 5th round to the San Francisco 49ers.
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