Late-round draft selections in the NFL Draft aren't given much weight by the national media, but that doesn't mean most of them can't have success in the NFL. 

Take Tom Brady for example. Yes, that Tom Brady. 

After an underwhelming college career at Michigan, Brady was selected by the New England Patriots with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. The Patriots already had a formidable starter in Drew Bledsoe, so Brady was drafted for depth. 

Bledsoe suffered a career-altering injury during the 2001 season, allowing Brady to take over as the starter and begin one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. 

It's very unfair to compare former Iowa football defensive back TJ Hall to Brady, but the point still stands. All it takes it one opportunity for a player to shine in the NFL. 

Hall, a two-year starter for the Hawkeyes, was selected with the 219th overall pick in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been in rebuilding mode for awhile now, but a strong finish to the 2025 season gives fans hope that they can be competitive in a wide-open NFC South in 2026. 

Could Hall earn a role on this New Orleans team this year? Let's find out. 

Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry is the clear No. 1 cornerback on this Saints team this season alongside safeties Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, and Jonas Salker. New Orleans also drafted Ohio State DB Lorenzo Styles Jr. in the fifth round to compete for a spot, which leaves Hall a step behind (at least on paper) on the depth chart. 

The Saints were a strong defensive team in 2025, slotting in at No. 9 in total defense. New Orleans likely selected Hall for depth reasons, but Hall's final season at Iowa showed he's ready for an opportunity should he earn one. 

Hall led the Hawkeye secondary with 10 pass break-ups to go with 47 tackles and an interception last season. Hall was consistent throughout the season, but there were two games that showed his talents the most - Week 2 at rival Iowa State and the ReliaQuest Bowl against Vanderbilt. 

Hall recorded a team-high eight tackles and two pass break-ups in Iowa's 34-27 win over Vanderbilt, but he was the sole reason why the Hawkeyes had a chance against Iowa State. 

Hall contributed four tackles in Iowa's narrow 16-13 loss to the Cyclones, but it was his career-high three pass break-ups that kept the Hawkeyes afloat. Iowa State looked to have open receivers behind the defense, but Hall would seemingly come out of nowhere to make a play on the ball. 

That game may have been the tape the Saints needed to see to select Hall. It's hard to see him starting for New Orleans in 2026, but the opportunity to fill a crucial depth role in the secondary is very much there. 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]