The Las Vegas Raiders are beginning their 2020 campaign by releasing a former second-round pick. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team has decided to part ways with interior defensive lineman P.J. Hall. Hall, a Sam Houston State product, spent the entirety of his career to date with the Raiders franchise.
Source: The #Raiders are releasing PJ Hall, a former 2nd round pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2020
P.J. Hall Released By Las Vegas Raiders
P.J. Hall’s release comes as something of a surprise, as the former second-round pick played a decent role on the team last year. Appearing in all 16 games and making 12 starts, Hall recorded 1.5 sacks, 18 solo tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and three quarterback hits on the season. Stats don’t tell the full story with defensive linemen, and his 70.2 PFF grade made him the 40th-best interior defender in the league. This may not sound like much, but it’s ahead of notable interior defenders like Ndumakong Suh, Linval Joseph, and Mike Pennel.
Hall initially began his career as the 57th selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Appearing in 12 games and making four starts, the defensive tackle recorded 22 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and four quarterback hits. While injury cost him a few games, he managed to be decently productive when on the field.
P.J. Hall spent his collegiate career at small-school Sam Houston, playing in the Southland Conference. Despite playing away from the college football spotlight, the Texas native managed to draw tons of NFL attention thanks to his high play. A four-year starter, Hall earned First-Team All-Southland honors in each of his four years on the team. During his Junior season, Hall won Southland Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. For those unfamiliar with the hardware, this award goes to the best defensive player in the entire FCS.
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