Key Takeaways:
– The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted defensive end Logan Hall in 2022 as their first pick and has been struggling to make an impact.
– 2024 is considered a make-or-break year for Hall, who showed regression in his performance in 2023 compared to his rookie year.
– Hall has the chance to revive his career, mirroring teammate William Gholston’s successful run-stopping role in Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After drafting five defensive linemen in 2022 and 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the possibility that not all these players will establish successful NFL careers. Logan Hall, the defensive end taken as their first pick in the 2022 NFL draft (No. 33 overall), enters a crucial year in 2024.
Challenging Times for Logan Hall
Selected for his impressive size and athleticism according to expert evaluations, Hall, measuring 6-foot-6 and weighing 283 pounds, demonstrated potential during his time at the University of Houston. His breakout year in 2021 saw him earning All-AAC honors with 47 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks. These statistics played a significant role in attracting the Buccaneers’ interest, leading to him being chosen in the second round of the 2022 draft. However, the NFL demands a positional shift for Hall, requiring the former defensive tackle to transition to a defensive end role.
Despite a promising rookie year in 2022 where Hall participated in all seventeen games and recorded 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, Hall’s performance notably deteriorated in 2023. As he moved to a more significant role with 13 starts, Hall recorded just half a tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks, alongside 22 tackles.
Hall’s Promise and Potential for Improvement
Even though Hall seems to be treading water towards “bust” territory, his NFL career is not completely derailed. The Buccaneers managed to protect their investment in Hall by drafting Calijah Kancey, providing some breathing space for the defensive end to improve.
Aside from making some improvements, Hall can draw inspiration from a model player already on the same roster, Willaim Gholston. A 12-year veteran, Gholston has used versatility to great effect and cemented a long-lasting career with Tampa Bay, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. Gholston successfully leveraged his strength to become one of Tampa Bay’s best run defenders, a path Logan Hall can replicate considering his explosive prowess.
The Path Forward for Logan Hall
Above all, Hall needs to find a distinct skill or trait on which to build his professional career. Gholston’s example shows that even those in between positions can carve out successful careers in the NFL. Combining strength with his athletic talent, Hall has everything he requires to bounce back, but the upcoming season will be the litmus test for his NFL credentials. As he heads into the 2024 NFL season, his career squarely sits on a pivot point. Either he turns his performance around or risks fading into obscurity.
In conclusion, Hall, a prolific player at the University of Houston, faces a challenging transition to NFL’s demanding environment. However, by drawing upon his athletic abilities, learning from veteran players such as Gholston, and finding a niche role within the team, Hall holds the potential to turn his career around during the make-or-break 2024 NFL season.