New York Jets RB Breece Hall vs. the analytics
After unanimously crushing the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, the New York Jets set their collective sights on the second round. Or … did they?
The Jets were rumored to be trying to move back into the first round, as they clearly coveted another prospect highly still lingering on the big board. But who?
After selecting Jermaine Johnson in the late-first round, the team’s greatest roster holes—by the time the early-second round arrived—were offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker and safety—with plenty of viable options to draft at each position.
The full Jet X member-only video is near the bottom of this page and can also be seen on the Blewett's Blitz homepage (if you're a paid member and logged in).
Unbeknownst to fans, the Jets were trying to trade up. And after finally landing a trade partner, the organization moved up from pick No. 38 to No. 36, which cost them a fifth-round pick (collective gasp from Twitter nerds).
Many were shocked when the name was announced, “Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State.” A running back? What? A running back in the early second round? Why? A running back in the top 40?
What in the world?
That was the gasp the analytical diehards let loose. Good thing for the Jets and their fans: Joe Douglas and this front office use analytics as a tool rather than as a personnel bible.
Breece Hall has the talent and fits into the Mike LaFleur scheme in a way that will most likely defeat the initial analytical shock, and his collegiate film at Iowa State suggests that very notion.
- Why were fans shocked?
- Is a running back worth it that early in the NFL draft?
- How could the Jets take a running back with so many other needs?
- How does Hall stack up against other highly-picked running backs?
Those topics and much more is discussed in the latest edition of Blewett’s Blitz. The full member-only Breece Hall film breakdown (close to two hours in length) can be found at the bottom of this article.
Film clip and podcast episode
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Footwork
- Powerful lower-body
- Speed for size (4.39-second 40-time)
- Size at 6-foot-1, 217 pounds
- Three-down RB
- Natural power
- Slippery for size
- Balance
- Home-run hitter
- Vision
- Patience
- Ability to truck
- Contact balance
- Smart
- Ability in pass-pro
- Good hands
- Great fit in zone-heavy scheme
- Elusive
- Eyes in the back of his head
- Timing of stiff arm
- Rarely brought down by arm tackles
- Easily shrugs off tackle attempts in the open field
- Tight spin move
- Flexible
- Keeps “light” near leg
- Vertical explosion
- Aware of spacing in holes
- Wasn’t asked to run a variety of routes, but believe he can
- Stacks cuts well
- Acceleration
- Ability to get skinny in traffic
- Very light on feet
- Jump-cut ability
Weaknesses
- 800+ touches in college
- Ball security, can hold the ball loosely at times
- Lateral burst is average
- Struggles vs early penetration
- Can be overly hesitant
- Could play with more control, can kyle himself off balance
- Can miss a cutback lane or two
- Can be passive in pass-pro
- Eyes can be a tick late in pass pro
- Needs to be more forceful in short-yardage situations
- Want to see him search for soft spots as a route runner
- Can look disengaged on some reps
- Can be late to identify blitzes
- Can gear down into contact
- Needs to work to get two hands on the ball as a pass-catcher
Full Jet X Subscriber Breece Hall film breakdown
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