An NFL expert gives an "A" grade to a low-cost defensive line addition poised to thrive alongside Houston's star defenders.
The Houston Texans had clear areas that needed improvement going into the 2026 offseason. Everyone knew that the offensive line had to be addressed, and so did the running back room. The organization has done both of those things, as some quality linemen have been brought into the franchise, and the running back room should also be seen as upgraded. Houston acquired David Montgomery through a trade with the Detroit Lions, and the franchise also parted ways with Joe Mixon after he missed the entire 2025 season.
An area that needed to be addressed going into the offseason was the interior defensive line. Houston's defense is full of stars, but the Texans had to prepare for three of their top interior defensive lineman to hit free agency. Denico Autry, Tim Settle, and Sheldon Rankins were all important players for the defensive side of the ball, but there was no guarantee that any of them would be back in 2026. Rankins signed a new deal with the franchise, Autry is still on the market, and Settle signed with the Washington Commanders. Houston had to replace some of these guys, and Logan Hall was the answer.
Hall was a second-round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022 NFL Draft. By no means is he a star, but he is a fine player who will probably put up the best numbers of his career while playing alongside some of the best defenders in the NFL. He signed a two-year deal with Houston for just under $14 million.
Hall had success in Tampa Bay, but not enough for the franchise to sign him to a second contract. He should be coming to the Texans with a bit of motivation, and Daniel Popper of The Athletic really loves this signing as he gave it a grade of an A, "Hall is next in line to benefit from playing between Hunter and Anderson. I love this fit. Hall has tools and athleticism, and he is coming off a career-high 32 pressures in 2025. The price is reasonable. Hall needs some refinement in his game, but this is a great opportunity to cultivate that improvement with the amount of attention Hunter and Anderson receive, especially on passing downs."
The veteran defender is coming off the best season of his career as he recorded 32 pressures in 2025, and he has a chance to break that number again. He is now playing alongside some of the best pass rushers in the league, paired with a top secondary.