Just one year ago, the New York Jets’ Breece Hall was widely viewed as a candidate to become the NFL’s best running back in 2024.
Fast forward one year, and his outlook is extremely different – not just in the eyes of Jets fans, but across the league, too.
On Monday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler published the results of a survey that interviewed over 70 league executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the best running backs in the NFL. Hall, who ranked No. 2 in the 2024 survey, did not crack the top 10.
These were the top 10 running backs in ESPN’s survey:
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles
- Derrick Henry, Ravens
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
- Josh Jacobs, Packers
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts
- James Cook, Bills
- Joe Mixon, Texans
- Alvin Kamara, Saints
Hall was listed as the fourth honorable mention, being named behind Bucky Irving (Buccaneers), Aaron Jones (Vikings), and De’Von Achane (Dolphins).
“He’s been one of the best in the league at points. I just haven’t felt the same way recently. I know the injuries have been an issue,” said an anonymous NFL coordinator, according to ESPN.
A veteran AFC personnel executive added, “That’s not all his fault. He was in a bad offense. Still has good lower-body balance and home run juice.”
Going into the 2024 season, Hall was on a tantalizing trajectory. In 2023, at 22 years old and coming off an ACL tear, Hall racked up 1,585 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry (14th out of 49 RBs with 100+ carries) despite running behind a porous offensive line and facing stacked boxes due to poor quarterbacking.
With another year off his injury, an upgrade at quarterback, and a stronger offensive line, Hall seemed destined to take his position’s throne in 2024. Instead, Hall declined to 1,359 yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage, while tripling his fumble total from two to six. He also dropped to a career-low 4.2 yards per carry (28th of 46) and tied for the most drops among running backs with eight.
Why Hall declined despite improved surroundings is a puzzle that remains unsolved. While Hall says he played through a “pretty serious” knee injury down the stretch of the season, his production was already underwhelming before he missed the Jets’ Week 14 contest with the injury. Hall averaged an identical 4.2 yards per carry before and after Week 14. His start to the year was particularly woeful, as he averaged 3.0 yards per carry through Week 5.
In 2025, first-year Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will attempt to put Hall back into the conversation among the league’s top 10 running backs. His window to take the No. 1 spot may be in the rearview, though, as the Jets appear poised to utilize a committee of sorts in the backfield, which would limit Hall’s production ceiling.
However, with decreased reps, Hall could stay fresher, allowing his breakaway speed to flourish. Perhaps his statistical totals will remain stable (or even drop), but his efficiency is due for a major leap.
Hall could achieve a broad spectrum of outcomes in 2025. For the Jets, his ranking on the league-wide running back list does not matter. What they need is for him to sharpen his fundamentals and be efficient in his role. If Hall can cut down on the fumbles and drops while boosting his yards per carry, the Jets will be happy with him.
