Fansided

Every NFL team’s most underrated player of all time

By Jarrett Bailey

Photo by JOHN CAPUTO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JOHN CAPUTO/AFP via Getty Images /
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CHICAGO – DECEMBER 18: Punt returner DeAngelo Hall #21 of the Atlanta Falcons carries the ball against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Falcons 16-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – DECEMBER 18: Punt returner DeAngelo Hall #21 of the Atlanta Falcons carries the ball against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Falcons 16-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons: DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall was quietly one of the best defensive backs of the 2000s. He was drafted by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he was an instant contributor to the Falcons defense.

He had a solid rookie year, intercepting two passes and breaking up six while also forcing a fumble. In 2005, he earned a Pro Bowl selection by coming up with six interceptions, batting away 10 passes, and recovering three fumbles. Hall returned one of those fumble recoveries for a touchdown, as well. He got even better in 2006. His interception total went down from six to four, but he batted down 16 passes and returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown.

Hall had another good season in 2007, picking off five passes, but ultimately, he and the Falcons couldn’t come to terms on a new contract, and he left for Oakland in 2008. He was traded in the middle of the season to Washington, where he spent the rest of his career. He earned his final Pro Bowl bid in 2010. Hall could have been a focal point of the Falcons going forward had they been able to come to terms on money, but his time there was still eye-opening.

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