Ohio State DL Michael Hall Jr. visits Texans

The Houston Texans are doing their homework on the top defensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft leading up to the No. 42 pick.

According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Hall Jr. visited the Texans earlier this week. Hall, considered one of the more athletic interior pass-rushers in the class, is expected to be a top 50 selection come April 25 and has garnered first-round buzz over the recent weeks.

A former four-star recruit, Hall finished the 2023 season with 24 tackles, two sacks, 26 pressures and 19 hurries last season. He was also named a third-team All-Big Ten Conference representative.

Michael Hall Jr. (51) holding strong at the point of attack, knocking his man back, & making the stop

pic.twitter.com/tc6Y7hrRD3

— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) April 8, 2024

Hall did not participate in drills during last month’s combine due to a hamstring injury but impressed at Ohio State’s Pro Day with a 4.78 40-yard dash. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 25 times.

Defensive tackle remains a need entering the regular season. While Houston inked Denico Autry to a two-year deal, it also parted ways with Sheldon Rankins. The Texans also traded Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

The major knock against Hall is his frame. Most defensive tackles enter the league weighing anywhere between 300-340 pounds. Hall was the lightest defensive tackle that weighed in at the combine.

Michael Hall Jr. is an ideal heir apparent to Arik Armstead: pic.twitter.com/UYVHH1rKb4

— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) April 13, 2024

For Hall, he views it as. strength, drawing comparisons to former All-Pro Aaron Donald, who terrorized backfields standing only 6-foot-1.

“He uses his leverage and guys’ momentum against them,” Hall told reporters last month at the Buckeyes’ pro day. “Those bigger guys, yeah they look better on paper, but we put our hand in the dirt and have a way better advantage on the field.”

During his three seasons at Ohio State, Hall posted six sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

The Texans have nine total picks entering the draft, including two selections in the second and fourth rounds. Houston also owns the No. 86 pick in Round 3 acquired from a trade with Philadelphia Eagles last April.