Marvin Hall emerging as Detroit Lions top deep threat

The Detroit Lions have found an unlikely offensive weapon in journeyman wide receiver Marvin Hall, who now leads the NFL in yards per catch.

Five NFL teams in four years. That’s the journey 26-year old wide receiver Marvin Hall has been on in order to finally find a home with the Detroit Lions this season. And Hall has emerged as the unlikeliest of candidates to led the league in yards per catch as the Lions’ primary deep threat.

Undrafted out of the University of Washington in 2016, Hall had an unspectacular college career. He recorded a total of 25 receptions for 409 yards and a single touchdown during his four years with the Huskies.

But there was one aspect to Hall’s game which has intrigued several NFL teams. And that’s his speed. Hall was rumored to run a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash at his pro day. And that was enough for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver to be signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Unfortunately, Hall was released by the Raiders during final cuts. And after a short stint on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, the young wideout would finally get some regular-season playing time with the Atlanta Falcons. In two years with Atlanta, Hall would record 12 receptions for 209 yards and two scores in 24 game appearances. He’d average 17.4 yards per catch.

With the Falcons, Hall also showed some juice as a special teams returner. He returned 26 kicks for 616 yards averaging 23.7 yards per during his time with the Falcons. 17 of those returns went for 20-yards or more. Three returns went for 40-yards plus.

Hall signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason but was waived during final cuts. He’d be signed to the Lions’ practice squad three days later. Hall was promoted Detroit’s active roster prior to their Week Three matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Since then, Hall has recorded five total receptions for 201 yards. And he currently leads the NFL with 40.2 yards per catch. Against the New York Giants last weekend, Hall posted his first touchdown for Detroit on a 49-yard bomb from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Although Marvin Hall’s stats may be small, his impact as a consistent deep threat that opposing defenses have to account for looms large. As the connection between Hall and Matthew Stafford strengthens, fans should expect to see more explosive plays from this unlikeliest of duos.