James Hall

Hall will once again back up the right defensive end position behind starter Chris Long.

Hall spent most of 2008 backing up rookie Chris Long at the right defensive end position and heading into camp that's exactly the role he's expected to undertake in 2009. While Hall led the team in sacks in 2008 with 6.5 his low tackle numbers (37) and inability to do anything else makes him a fringe IDP candidate at best.

A starter last year, Hall will have to settle for back-up work as a 3rd down pass rusher with Chris Long now on the roster and set to start at right defensive end.

Hall will fly under the radar in most IDP drafts. Scan his career stats and you’ll see an awful lot of years with five sacks or fewer that will scare away most fantasy owners. In fact, his breakout 2004, during which he posted 11.5 sacks, is the only campaign with more than five sacks. But consider his struggles with injuries in 2005 when he missed two games. Yes, he finished with just five sacks, but he matched a career high with 59 total tackles. Then he missed nine games in 2006 with a shoulder injury. He was on pace for 11.5 sacks and 55 total tackles, which would have placed him in the Top 15 of the year-end linemen standings. So it seems his 2004 was for real— he just needs to stay healthy. A speed rusher who frustrates blockers with extreme mobility, Hall moves to St. Louis, where he'll be matched up on the other side of the line with Leonard Little, who'll draw far more attention. A healthy Hall (St. Louis felt confident enough to trade for him) playing with the space Little creates is a bet worth taking in deeper linemen drafts.

Starting right defensive end. Hall set a career high in tackles last year with 59. However, he's unlikely to have much of a fantasy impact.

Hall broke out for 11.5 sacks last season and he should once again be the primary pass rusher for the Lions. With a strong secondary, Hall has a great chance to improve on last year's numbers and could end up as one of the top ranked ends at the end of the season.

Hall has the size and quickness to contribute week in and week out on the defensive line. With a solid season, he could very well end up as a mainstay with the organization.