Surprise Eagles rookie earns his mention as a UDFA worth watching

Often, when we begin mentioning the NFL Draft and prospects we'd like to wind up in the Philadelphia Eagles' midnight green jersey, we begin salivating over those defensive studs or playmakers in the Big Ten. We don't often tap into conversations we hear about the Big 12, unless of course we're mentioning offensive talent... After all, who the heck plays defense in the Big 12, right?

Pro football's annual selection meeting has, however, taught us a few lessons over the years. This is a crapshoot... Half of the guys drafted in Round 1 won't live up to their potential... Scout the player and not the helmet...

Guess what? We may have found a defensive gem from Baylor. Well... We didn't find him. Howie Roseman and his team did so... Folks... If you aren't hip to Gabe Hall's skill set, pay attention.

Pro Football Focus names Eagles rookie Gabe Hall as a UDFA worth watching (and for good reason).

Gabe Hall was one of Philly's handful of undrafted rookie free-agent signings after the 2024 NFL Draft. Standing at six-foot-six, he's a potential monster along the interior defensive line. He isn't a nose tackle per se as he tips the scales at only 291 pounds, but he could do work as a defensive tackle in Philly's four-man defensive fronts.
defensiveFirst things first though. He has to earn a spot on the roster.

Recently, he was mentioned in an intriguing write-up by Pro Football Focus, One UDFA to watch on each NFL roster. Here's what Thomas Valentine, the writer of this one, mentions as his reason for saying so:

"Like Taylor, Hall was also one of the top defensive players to go undrafted in 2024. His size and athleticism make him a force on the defensive line, and he earned 21 pressures and 13 stops for Baylor in 2023. There’s a lot of potential there."

Hall stacked 17 total tackles, two sacks, 3.5 tackles or loss, and one pass breakup while playing primarily as a 'stop-gap' in that Power Five conference that doesn't play any defense. NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein graded him as a potential fourth or fifth-rounder and gave him a grade of 5.97, meaning he's an average backup or special teamer.

He also mentions that Hall is a "physical specimen with exceptional size, length, and build" who "explodes out of stance as an upfield pass rusher."

The question must be asked again though. How on Planet Earth is he going to make Philly's roster? Perhaps you have heard. This team is stacked at defensive tackle.

Ahead of Hall on the preseason depth chart are Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo, P.J. Mustipher, and Thomas Booker. If we had to introduce a 53-man roster today, we'd assume no one on that list past Ojomo would be included. Hall can't worry about that though. He needs to show up to work and put maximum effort in.

Stranger things have happened. Who knows? Hall could become the next John Randle, but for now, we'll assume he's battling for a spot on the practice squad.

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