As we’ve done in previous years, we’re taking a look at those Pittsburgh Steelers under futures contracts for the 2020 offseason. We’ll focus this on the future players who spent no or limited time on the team during 2019.
Darrin Hall/RB Pittsburgh – 6’0 217
Hall bounced on and off the team’s practice squad. Undrafted out of Pitt, he bounced around with three teams before Pittsburgh signed him to their practice squad October 30th. He filled in the cracks when seemingly every running back on the roster was hurt. But the group got healthier and Hall was never promoted. He wound up signing a futures deal on January 7th.
He profiles as the type of back they love. Big. The only small runner on the roster is Kerrith Whyte Jr. So Hall will have to compete with the likes of Trey Edmunds and Ralph Webb to carve out a role in 2020. His tape in the NFL is limited so it’s hard to pinpoint what advantage he brings. Edmunds is at least a serviceable special teamer, though didn’t perform well enough there in 2019 if we’re being honest, while Webb saw summer buzz in New England and legitimately ran well in Pittsburgh before getting hurt mid-way through training camp.
The whole backfield is returning too. James Conner, Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels, and Whyte Jr. So it’s difficult to envision any sort of path for Hall to make the 53 out of camp unless the backfield resembles the MASH unit it did during the year. Hall will have to fight for a practice squad spot and like any reserve player, show something on special teams to try to put him over the top.
On the plus side, he was productive at Pitt, rushing for over 1100 yards and an absurd 7.5 yards per carry as a senior in 2018. And he’s a local kid that’s easy to root for. Count on the KDKA broadcast showing him some love during the summer.
His odds aren’t great but that’s what camp is for. Everyone has a shot.
