In the NFL, diversity of offenses has been the key to success. Teams can win with successful and talented quarterbacks. With high-powered passing games led by the likes of Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Josh Allen of the Bills, and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. However, every January, playoff teams remember another vital asset on offense: the run game. The Philadelphia Eagles invested in Saquon Barkley, and the star running back helped lead Philadelphia to its second championship. This is something the New York Jets hope to accomplish in their run game.
After a disastrous 2024, their new head coach, Aaron Glenn, wants to make major changes. Including how the team utilizes their running backs. Despite finishing 31st in rushing yards per game, the team still believes in star running back Breece Hall. But, to truly prosper, New York must get creative on how they use all three running backs long term.
Numbers Game: Jets to Utilize Depth for Improved Run Game
In 2024, the New York Jets managed to play worse with Aaron Rodgers than without him. While problems on the defense were apparent, the offense did them no favors. Despite his prestigious resume, New York let Aaron Rodgers have too much control on offense. How else do you explain the oldest quarterback in the league throwing the second-most passes all season? The veteran’s arrogance cost New York major momentum on offense. This includes changing plays to pass the ball instead of running. The result: the New York Jets finished 2024 with the second least amount of rushing yards in the league. Doing only better than the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fortunately, one Aaron has been replaced by another. The Jets opted to be rid of the aging quarterback for a more grounded leader in new head coach Aaron Glenn. A brilliant defensive strategist, Glenn honed his skills with the Detroit Lions, practicing against future Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s high-powered Lions offense. To help new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand replicate this kind of success, New York must diversify their running game.
Breece Hall: Primary receiving back/perimeter running back
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Iowa State, Breece Hall has become a fan favorite. Hall enticed fans with his ability to generate big plays after contact and his surprising receiving skills for a running back. Returning from a torn ACL in 2023, Breece Hall managed to have over 1,500 scrimmage yards less than a year removed from the ligament tear. Unfortunately, Hall was a victim of Aaron Rodgers pass happy ways. Along with OCs Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing, neither truly utilized him to his strength. While they used Hall as a inside gap runner, Breece isn’t that kind of player.
Hall’s strength is his anticipation. His underrated field vision allows him to find holes along the edge and lead to big plays following his downfield blockers. In addition, he needs to have the ball in his hands more in the passing game. Although he never ran over 1,000 yards in a season, Hall had back-to-back seasons with over 475 receiving yards. He can turn a pass from the flat into a 10-yard gain with his speed. Tanner Engstrand is lucky. His experience with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the perfect role for Hall going forward.
Braelon Allen: Power back
Speaking of the Detroit Lions, Gibbs’s impact is doubled thanks to his backfield partner David Montgomery. While Jahmyr Gibbs has more breakaway speed and talent as a receiver, David Montgomery is a throwback to running backs of old. A power runner who’s not afraid of contact to generate yards. This is where fortune favors second-year running back Braelon Allen.
The second-year running back out of Wisconsin, Braelon Allen, is an impressive athlete. At 6’1″ and over 230 lbs, the running back is powerful enough to absorb most contact and stay standing. Allen finished his rookie season with 337 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns. Now entering his second season and only 21 years old, Aaron Glenn is expected to increase his responsibilities. Allen’s size and strength as a blocker will also need to be utilized more, especially with quarterback Justin Fields able to help the running game.
Isaiah Davis: The “secret weapon”
Within the Jets backfield, the pecking order is clear. Breece Hall is the lead back, followed by Braelon Allen. But after them, then it’s another second-year running back who can make more of an impact. As a third-string player, Isaiah Davis has a lot of potential as a running back. While he wasn’t utilized as much as the previous two, Davis was relied upon more late last season. Over 150 of his 174 rushing yards came after the start of December. While behind Hall and Allen on the depth chart, Davis is capable of making big plays. Over his final two seasons at South Dakota State, Davis ran a staggering 3097 yards on 485 carries.
Allowing Isaiah Davis to become more featured would be huge for the team’s depth. Davis gives Hall and Allen a chance to breathe and preserve their star running backs. This versatility will be a huge benefit for Justin Fields in option plays. Should they take a patient approach, the long-term rewards for New York’s new running back rotation will be worth it.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – USA Today Sports
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