What to expect from Hall in 2020
At this point, it’s extremely hard to predict if P.J. Hall will make the Vikings’ final roster this season or not. Minnesota would obviously love for this trade to work out in their favor, but it also won’t really have a huge effect on their defense if Hall doesn’t make their 2020 roster either.
This was a low-risk move made by the Vikings to add depth to a position of need. It’s still very possible that someone who was already on their roster before Monday’s trade will emerge as Michael Pierce’s replacement instead of Hall.
Looking at his size, some might assume that Minnesota’s new defensive tackle fits best at the three-technique spot. However, Hall has the skills to line up as a nose tackle also. So don’t rule him out as a contender to fill Pierce’s starting vacancy.
If the Vikings are pleased with what Hall is able to do in training camp this summer, they could use his versatility to their advantage. Minnesota could create defensive packages that have him lining up all over the defensive front this season, including on the edge.
The reward could be quite high for this low-risk move that the Vikings made on Monday. At the very least, Hall should be able to earn a spot on Minnesota’s 2020 roster as a reserve and a situational defensive lineman.
*Update: Hall failed his physical with the Vikings on Tuesday and the trade was called off.