Report: Gabe Hall agrees to UDFA deal with Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Baylor Bears defensive tackle Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Hall as an undrafted free agent, according to a report by Tom Pelissero. Hall’s senior season with the Bears did not finish as he would have liked, going just 3-9 mark in 2023.

The former Baylor defensive tackle spent five seasons in Waco, TX, playing at various spots throughout the Bears’ defensive line. Hall does not possess the stereotypical NFL interior defensive lineman frame, standing at six-foot-five and weighing 290 lbs, which led to him seeing some action lined up on the outside for Baylor in 2023.

In 2023, Hall finished the year with 17 total tackles, seven solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 12 games. That production mirrors his sophomore season with the Bears, but he had more tackles, tackles for lost, and sacks playing in one fewer game. Hall’s best season came in 2022, when he had 37 tackles, 17 solo, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and returned one fumble for a touchdown.

Hall played his high school ball at Waller High School, a small town just northwest of Houston, TX. Coming out of high school, as a member of the 2019 recruiting class, he was ranked 791 nationally, 81 among defensive linemen, and 103 out of all Texas recruits as a three-star prospect, with a recruit rating of 85.8, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Gabe Hall

NFL.com gives Gabe Hall a prospect grade of 5.97, putting him in the group classified as an ‘Average Backup Or Special-Teamer.’ NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein provided an analysis of the former Baylor defensive tackle’s ability and how it transitions to the next level.

“Hall’s draft standing with each team will be determined by scheme and just how much the team values traits over tape. Despite his imposing size and length, Hall fails to play with consistent command at the point of attack and is too often beaten soundly in the finishing phase. He has the initial quickness, bend and hand usage to improve against the run, but it’s not a given. Hall is best aligned as a 4i- or 5-technique in an odd front where he has more space to use his athleticism and length as a pass rusher. He has the tools needed to become more impactful on the next level for a defensive line coach ready to work with him.”

NFL.com also lists Thomas’s strengths as follows: Physical specimen with exceptional size, length, and build; Explodes out of stance as an upfield pass rusher; Rushes with adequate hand-fighting and persists in finding an opening; Diligent to maintain his rush lane against active quarterbacks; Gets into initial contact with proper bend and a leveraged punch; Possesses traits to become a better run defender than tape shows.

In terms of weaknesses, Thomas’s are listed as such: Height creates inconsistency in contact balance as interior rusher; Has trouble getting hips and shoulders flipped at top of the rush; Can be washed out of his run fits too easily by down blocks; Needs to work at keeping pads square during lateral engagements; Completely gassed out as a run defender against Texas in September.