Buccaneers fans need to adjust expectations for rookie
By Rob Leeds
Logan Hall currently feels like the player for the Buccaneers where expectations are getting out of control. Fans need to adjust accordingly.
Before anyone jumps in the comments and talks about how no rookie can ever do right on this team, let’s get this out of the way first: Logan Hall was the best pick the Buccaneers could’ve made in the second round and looks primed to become a great NFL player.
In fact, Hall is going to be a great rotational piece for the Bucs as a contributor on a team that should make some noise in a deep playoff run.
But it is important to recognize right now that Hall is a rotational piece, and that seems to be the area where most fans are confused.
Double-digit sack numbers probably aren’t coming for a guy that is only going to play somewhere near 40% of the total defensive snaps. The production as a pass-rusher was decent for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka last season, and due to roles and athletic profiles, this is probably a fair place to start with the expectations.
As it stands, Hall looks like the fourth guy on the depth chart for the line. Vita Vea, William Gholston, and Akiem Hicks are going to be the main unit on the field for around half of the defensive reps.
When one of these guys comes off, it looks like Hall well be the one to step on the field. This gives the Buccaneers tons of flexibility.
Tampa can use Hall to spell one of the starters. They can also put Hicks in the middle, give Vea a break, and line Hall up against a guard rather than Hicks.
One way or another, there are some mix and match opportunities for the Bucs with Hall, and it works out even better knowing that there is some injury insurance on the line now.
Hall is in a great position to learn and grow as a rookie on this defense. None of this is to say that he isn’t going to have a great rookie year, but perhaps some of the crazy sack predictions and quotes/comparisons are starting to get people to a point where they won’t actually appreciate the rookie season we are about to see.
Hall is a fun prospect with mountains of upside, but even guys like Vita Vea took some time to become the players that we know today. Let’s hold Logan Hall to the same standard.
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