Ranking the Bengals’ top 5 options with No. 31 pick in 2022 NFL Draft

Logan Hall, DE (Houston)

While defensive end seems like an unnecessary need at 31, we aren’t really talking about need here. What we are talking about is snagging a player in Logan Hall that could develop into a dominating rush end in short order.

We all saw last season the benefit of a serious pass rush. The Bengals marked improvement on defense can essentially be pinned on the improvement in rushing the passer. After all, a strong rush can hide myriad flaws on the back end of a defense.

Enter Logan Hall.

The 6’6″, 283 pound former defensive tackle features good speed, (4.8 40), experience on the interior of the line as well as at EDGE, and absolutely can absorb snaps at multiple line spots if needed.

Hall was a two-year starter at Houston, and while Cincinnati doesn’t exactly boast a traditional 3-4 alignment that might best fit his talents, he would have the luxury of easing into the rotation and learning from two of the better ends in the AFC in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.

By all accounts, Hall would also be a good fit in the Bengals locker room. As everyone saw in 2021, positive team chemistry is huge.

With the team addressing the offensive line, and at least short term, the tight end and secondary positions, the pick of Hall at 31 is one that could pay dividends later in the season when injuries and the grind of a long season start to take their toll on the pass rush.