WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va – As Mike Hall Jr. participated in drills with the defensive line on the third day of training camp, he went through the reps of simulating getting around an offensive lineman to reach and sack the quarterback.
In those drills, Hall showcased a high level of speed and agility of getting around the offensive player. The Browns' second-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the first few days of his first NFL training camp. And he's displaying early how he could he an asset to a dominant defensive line.
"I feel like my skillset, my talent, I bring a lot of energy to the game and I bring a lot of juice," Hall said. "I'm out there working just as hard as those guys are, and it's a lot of guys – we have a couple 10 year plus guys, and a lot of guys that's played a lot of football. So, just being able to learn from them, I feel like it's just the best thing ever. And I'm just very blessed to be around a great group of guys."
When Hall was drafted by the Browns in April, DT Dalvin Tomlinson texted Hall immediately following the draft to welcome him to the team. Through the first three months of his NFL career, Hall has tried to learn from Tomlinson and the other veterans on the defensive line.
He stays after practice to put in extra work with different veterans like DE Myles Garrett, DE Za'Darius Smith and DT Maurice Hurst II. He's picked Garrett's brain about what he puts into his body and listened to Garrett at practice as he gave him tips on taking reps out at defensive end. As the Browns ran through drills during the third practice, Garrett simulated each snap to start the play.
"Just helping me, just trying to get through my rush and what's something I can change," Hall said of Garrett's leadership. "And he was also telling me the good things I did. So, he's very transparent and I really appreciate that. He's the Defensive Player of the Year, so he knows exactly what he's talking about."
As the Browns continue through training camp and work through the roles on the defensive line, Hall has a chance to showcase what he can add to the defensive line – especially with how defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz rotates his linemen in games to help keep players fresh.
On the interior, they also could be without Tomlinson for a certain amount of time, as Tomlinson underwent a scope procedure on July 26. He is listed on the active/unable to perform (PUP).
Hall believes his strong work ethic – which he has turned up another notch over the course of rookie minicamp, OTAs and now training camp – stands out as his strength that will help him excel among a talented defensive line.
"I would just say my work ethic. I mean, my work ethic has increased by far for sure, especially just being around these guys. My hunger has been built," Hall said. "I always self-reflect, and I'm my worst critic. I am just trying to find a way, what's something better that I can do to help this team?"
He's also open to any role the Browns need him to play. Hall has taken special teams reps as the Browns work through the league's new kickoff rules and finding the best combination of players to put out on the field. While Hall doesn't have previous experience of playing on special teams in college at Ohio State, he said he's ready to play any role – a principal that head coach Kevin Stefanski has instilled.
Stefanski has seen that work ethic from Hall and how he's grown in his first three months with the Browns, along with his potential to impact the defense.
"Mike's done a really nice job," Stefanski said. "Mike's a young man, but he's got some wisdom to him. Very impressed with how he carries himself, very impressed with how he is in the meeting rooms, in the weight room, out there on the field. He takes his job seriously."
