Saints may have found a seventh-round steal in Iowa cornerback TJ Hall

Yahoo Sports2h ago19 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

The New Orleans Saints may have found a valuable seventh-round pick in cornerback TJ Hall from Iowa. Hall's competitive skills and recent performance could make him a strong candidate for the team's secondary.

Key points

TJ Hall is a seventh-round pick from Iowa
He recorded 10 pass breakups in his final season
The Saints' secondary is currently unsettled
Previous seventh-round steals include Marques Colston and Zach Strief

Mentioned in this story

Marques ColstonZach StriefAlontae Taylor

TJ HallNew Orleans SaintsNFL DraftIowa Hawkeyes

Saints may have found a seventh-round steal in Iowa cornerback TJ Hall

It's been a long time since the New Orleans Saints truly found a steal in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Fans love to point at Marques Colston and Zach Strief as seventh-round standouts, and rightfully so; both of them were instrumental to the team's Super Bowl XLIV title and played big roles in the winningest era of franchise history. You could make an argument for Kaden Elliss, but the linebacker was a backup for his entire four-year run with the Saints before leaving and proving he could start elsewhere. That convinced them to bring him back this offseason.

Could TJ Hall finally break the trend? The former Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback was the Saints' final pick in the 2026 draft class, and he seems tailor-made for the defense Brandon Staley wants to run. With an unsettled secondary in the wake of Alontae Taylor's departure, he may have a chance to get on the field right away. Here's the argument for him from Justin Melo for NFL Draft OnSI:

"It's rare that the seventh round produces any 'steals,' but we thought former Iowa cornerback TJ Hall would go earlier. Hall is very competitive with catch-point skills. He produced a career-high 10 pass breakups for the Hawkeyes this past campaign. The New Orleans Saints got themselves a physical cornerback prospect who will compete for a roster spot."

Q&A

What are TJ Hall's strengths as a cornerback?

TJ Hall is known for his competitive nature and catch-point skills, having recorded a career-high 10 pass breakups in his last season at Iowa.

Why are seventh-round picks significant for NFL teams?

Seventh-round picks are often seen as potential 'steals' due to their lower expectations, and successful selections can greatly enhance a team's roster depth and value.

How does TJ Hall fit into the Saints' defensive plans?

With an unsettled secondary following Alontae Taylor's departure, TJ Hall may have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot and contribute immediately.

Who are some notable seventh-round picks in Saints history?

Notable seventh-round picks for the Saints include Marques Colston and Zach Strief, both of whom played key roles in the team's Super Bowl XLIV victory.