Every time DT Mike Hall Jr. walks into CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, he's looking to improve both on and off the field. His mindset is to 'stack days,' which has helped his growth as a pass rusher.
One area where Hall has grown is his versatility. After missing10 days of training camp after he was injured in practice on Aug. 1, Hall has lined up at defensive end at different times following his return from injury, including in the Browns' preseason game against the Bills. He tallied a sack on an inside rush move and recorded a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in the matchup against Buffalo.
While head coach Todd Monken was impressed with Hall's performance, he doesn't know how frequently Hall will be lining up on the edge this season. Monken does believe Hall can have a bigger impact at defensive tackle, though.
"I think he's shown that he can be a versatile player," Monken said on Aug. 29. "I do think he's more disruptive inside, so I do think that. We've seen that on tape. I think that would probably be at this point. We still have another week to go through would be the starting point with some defensive end flex."
Hall's ability to play at both defensive end and tackle gives the Browns' defensive line versatility in its depth. During his first two seasons with the Browns, Hall played defensive tackle. He missed time, including a knee injury at the end of his rookie year that forced him to miss the beginning of the 2025 season. When on the field, Hall has recorded 2.5 sacks, five tackles for losses and 10 quarterback hits in 17 games as an interior rusher.
Whether it's filling in as an edge rusher or rotating as a tackle, Hall will look to play a key role on the Browns' front unit in 2026.
"I have no problem being as versatile as I can," Hall said. "It's great to even be on the field. So, just taking advantage of different reps whether it's end, tackle or nose."
While there are technical differences with lining up as an edge rusher compared to the interior, Hall's mindset stays the same.
"I feel like a little bit more changes," Hall said. "Taking more steps and it's a farther distance to the quarterback, whether to corner or take the inside move a little bit early or a little bit later. But as far as being disruptive and being an attack front, it's no different."
That mindset is critical for a Browns' defensive line that will rely on playing aggressive. Cleveland's front unit, who has embodied a next man up mentality regarding substitutions, will rotate players in frequently to keep them rested.
"With our whole style of play, we're subbing in fresh guys. We're (an) attack front, so we're going balls to the wall," Hall said. "You have to be able to next man up or be able to play with different flavors because everybody brings a whole different taste to the game."
DT Mason Graham has recognized Hall's adaptability and willingness to play where he is needed.
"Wherever we need guys to step up, we're going to have guys to answer that," Graham said. "So, Mike was called to go play D-end, so that's exactly what he did."
Regardless of where he lines up this season, Hall will be an important depth piece on the Browns' defensive line unit that is looking to be the engine of the defense this season.
"Mike likes football. He likes to practice, he's fun to be around, and very competitive," Monken said. "When he's out there, he's very disruptive. He's a huge plus for us defensively."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Parker Brailsford (52) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback D'Angelo Ross (37) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Justin Jefferson (17) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) and Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Equipment Manager Mher Tcholakian during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cleats during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A towel during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A towel during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3), Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) and Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Pass Game Coordinator Ephraim Banda during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
