In the second of many Arizona Cardinals NFL draft profiles, we look at the University of Missouri speedster Emanuel Hall, who left his mark during his time in the vaunted SEC conference.
The first thing that pops about Hall is his speed. And he showed that at the 2019 NFL Combine, where he the 6-1, 201-lb receiver a 4.39 40-yard-dash. He isn’t just a speed guy though; he’s more of an uber explosive athlete. He ranked first amongst wide receivers at the combine in the vertical (43.5-inches), and broad jumps (141-inches). Because of that natural athletisism, I see him ideally as a hybrid big slot receiver/flanker — a position Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald revolutionized.
During Hall’s four years at Missouri, he tallied 97 receptions in which he compiled 2,016 yards (555 after the catch), and 16 touchdowns. 37 of those receptions for 828 yards and six touchdowns were during the 2018 season. Per Pro Football Focus, Hall is 14th in the 2019 class in deep passing yards with 506, a significant number due to his college average of 20.8 yards per catch.
However, the most impressive stat from Hall is his ability to create seperation on vertical routes. Per PFF, he ranks as the number two receiver in yards per route run with 4.14, just behind UMass slot receiver Andy Isabella — a mostly horizontal route runner.
Because of that speed and explosiveness, I project Emanuel Hall to be very similar to current Philadelphia Eagles receiver Mike Wallace. Both have the speed to burn, and unfortunately have an identical catching issue, as Hall dropped 14 passes while at Missouri and an average catch rate of 58.1%, per PFF.
One of Hall’s other knocks has a relatively underdeveloped route tree. While he excels on vertical routes, tunnel screens, and slants, more complicated routes seem to be his Achilles heel. But, there is little hope lost, as Hall does have that coveted burst and the first step to excel in this area — if he learns how to attack certain leverages.
I believe that Hall can find a role within the Arizona Cardinals as a Z receiver/big slot. Even though he didn’t play many snaps in the slot at Missouri (just two receptions per PFF), he has that game-breaking speed to spread defenses down the field, in turn, opening up underneath routes.
However, Hall is the furthest thing from a ‘hidden gem,’ he has the game to be effective in the NFL, but he currently stands as more of an experiment. In the past, general manager Steve Keim has been willing to take risks of speedy developmental receivers, so I wouldn’t doubt his interest in Hall.
Final verdict: Emanuel Hall should be available in the mid-rounds (4-6), the Arizona Cardinals would be wise to select him if he were to slip as his explosive playstyle could be an excellent fit in the Kingsbury ‘Air Raid.’
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