The Raiders announced that they have signed their second-round draft choice, P.J. Hall. Hall was the 57th-overall selection in this year’s draft, and head coach Jon Gruden recently said that Hall and fellow rookie Raider Maurice Hurst (who fell to the fifth round due to health concerns) were the top two interior pass rushers in the class.
Hall started 54 of a possible 56 games during his collegiate career at Sam Houston State, picking up a whopping 42 sacks, nine forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and 14 blocked kicks. He also recorded 86.5 tackles for loss, which is an FCS record.
He figures to be an immediate contributor in DC Paul Guenther‘s scheme. As Andy Benoit of SI.com observes, Guenther uses a great deal of two-deep zone, and in those looks, the three-technique defensive tackle must be able to fight through double teams. Hall, who switched from defensive end to defensive tackle during his senior season, offers the explosiveness and strength to do that, something that the Raiders were lacking before the draft.
The team signed sixth-round LB Azeem Victor yesterday.
Eat’em up Kats!