Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Derick Hall entered the NFL as a raw but explosive pass rusher, and in year three, his development [has begun to show](https://12thmanrising.com/took-one-play-validate-growing-hype-surrounding-young-seattle-seahawks-defender).
While Seattle has slowly expanded his role, his [ability to impact games](https://12thmanrising.com/derick-hall-jarran-reed-sideline-fiasco-perfect-example-of-current-seahawks-01jb82wj0xjw) in subpackage situations have showcased where his traits translate best. He may not headline the defense alongside established starters like Boye Mafe or the. newly acquired Demarcus Lawrence, but Hall’s ability to tilt the edge makes him a critical piece of the rotation.
A former Day 2 pick out of Auburn, the 6-foot-3, 254-pound Hall operates with striking power at the point of attack, using violent hands and a forward-charging style to collapse pockets.
The traits and tools that make Seahawks edge rusher Derick Hall an intriguing subpackage pass-rusher
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But he’s not just a straight-line rusher -- he can dip and bend around the corner, flattening his path to the quarterback with surprising fluidity. Its mix of strength and bend is rare, and it allows him to win both inside and outside against tackles.
His Week 1 performance against the division rival Niners offered a glimpse into that growth.
Though his snaps topped out at 38 for the afternoon, Hall saw action against Trent Williams, arguably football's best left tackle, still at the ripe age of 37. While Williams often stonewalls young rushers with ease, Hall managed to earn a few subtle wins, forcing Williams to respect his power and adjust his set.
Those moments, even without a sack attached, speak volumes about how far Hall has come technically since entering the league. For Week 2, Hall’s skill set could prove especially valuable.
The Steelers’ offensive line remains a unit in transition with young pieces up and down the front five, and Aaron Rodgers under center isn't the type to hurt you on extended plays with his legs.
Rodgers is by no means a sitting duck, but with Hall’s ability to combine raw strength with the flexibility to bend makes him a dangerous matchup, particularly when deployed as a fresh-legged rusher on obvious passing downs against a signal-caller who wants to live inside the tackle box.
For HC Mike Macdonald, his defense in Seattle is built on depth and versatility, and Hall is emblematic of that philosophy. He may not be the face of the front seven, but his continued development has positioned him as a breakout candidate with over 1,000 career snaps in the NFL now under his belt.
Should he capitalize on his matchups against the Steelers, Hall could start to shed the “underrated” label and emerge as one of Seattle’s most impactful young, rotational pieces that help elevate a defense from good to great.