Kansas City Chiefs to host sprightly Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr. on top-30 visit ahead of 2024 NFL draft

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to host more prospects on top-30 visits ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. The latest prospect set to visit the Chiefs told ABC 6 reporter Kellyanne Stitts of the visit himself following his pro day workout in Columbus, Ohio. The Chiefs will soon play host to Ohio State DT Michael […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) celebrates in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to host more prospects on top-30 visits ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The latest prospect set to visit the Chiefs told ABC 6 reporter Kellyanne Stitts of the visit himself following his pro day workout in Columbus, Ohio. The Chiefs will soon play host to Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr., a prospect who was the ninth-ranked overall player in Ohio, the No. 54 overall player in the country, and the No. 4-rated defensive tackle coming out of Streetsboro High School in Streetsboro, Ohio. 

Hall spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, appearing in 28 games with 11 starts over the past two seasons, which isn't a whole lot of experience at the college level. He recorded 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one fumble recovery during that span. 

What is a top-30 visit?

NFL clubs are allotted 30 pre-draft visits where they can bring prospects into team facilities ahead of the upcoming draft. It's part of the pre-draft fact-gathering process that will inform decisions made by the team. The players won't partake in any athletic testing like what you see at a pro day, but they'll have a chance to meet with team staff, tour facilities, and so on. Teams use visits in several different ways. If a player has a medical history, teams typically will bring those players in to examine those injuries. The same thing goes for off-field issues or character concerns. 

A top-30 visit for the Chiefs almost always denotes some level of interest by the team. Sometimes they'll bring in players who are expected to be undrafted free agents to impress upon them that Kansas City is the place to be. They also bring in players who are expected to be drafted, even some within the top 100 picks. Just last season Kansas City hosted a pair of their draft picks (Rashee Rice & BJ Thompson) on top-30 visits.

How does Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr. fit with the Chiefs?

Hall is one of the younger players in the 2024 NFL draft at just 20 years old, and he'll only be 21 by the time the 2024 NFL season arrives. He's a little undersized for what the Chiefs typically like on the interior defensive line, but he makes up for it with length (33.5-inch arms) and strength.

At Ohio State’s pro day, Hall clocked a 1.65s 10-yard split and a 4.75s 40-yard dash at just under 6-foot-3 and 299 pounds. He's right up there with FSU's Braden Fiske as the quickest interior defensive line prospect in the entire draft class, and that's apparent on tape as well.

I described Hall as sprightly in our headline because of how quick and nimble he is, plus the relentless energy with which he plays. I've seen him compared to players like Osa Odighizuwa and Dre'Mont Jones, but his game, size, and athleticism remind me of former NFL DT Geno Atkins. He's lightning-quick, makes an impact in the run game with his strength, and can terrorize quarterbacks. 

As for his fit with the Chiefs, he's a bit undersized to play nose tackle in Steve Spagnuolo's scheme and they already have too many bodies there. The Chiefs could likely play him from 3-technique out to 5-technique, which are the spots that Chris Jones typically plays. When you realistically look at Jones' deal, it's essentially a three-year contract. Kansas City could groom Hall to be his replacement during that time and extend Jones' career by letting Hall cut into some of his snaps. Should Hall excel early on in his career, it could allow the Chiefs to creatively play Jones at some different spots to get them both on the field at the same time.

Other top 30 visits so far:

Related Articles