The Jets 2022 draft class is here! There is overwhelming excitement around what Joe Douglas has done to help infuse this roster with talent. With his 4th selection in the 2022 draft, Joe Douglas selected RB Breece Hall. TOJ Live Co-host Stephen Zantz gives you a bio on the Jets’ newest running back
Name: Breece Hall
Position: RB
College: Iowa State
Age: 20 (turns 21 on May 31)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 217 LBs
40-Time: 4.39 (Blazing!)
Vertical: 40
After ending night 1 of the draft with a statement, Joe Douglas picked up where he left off and moved up from 38 to 36 to select what most experts have said is the best runningback in the draft Breece Hall. Hall was an underclassmen captain (JD loves captains) who had a prolific collegiate career playing under Matt Campbell. Breece has the ideal body type to handle a 3-down workload in the NFL but still possesses the speed OC’s dream about. He is a legitimate homerun threat every time he touches the ball. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield which is crucial in the modern NFL for runningbacks.
Here is a bit about Breece from the Badlands draft guide:
“Hall is gifted with natural feel as a runner, constantly finding the right lane in a zone-heavy scheme. His light feet and change of direction get him to the second level where he is a nightmare in open space for tacklers. Considering his size, he knows how to play smaller in traffic and then hit a different gear in the open field with galloping strides.”
The one concern about Hall’s game is his ability to pickup the blitz in pass protection. The hope is that he can be coached up to help improve this area of his game because physically he can take on NFL defenders.
Connor Rogers’ pro player comparison in the draft guide was Deuce McAllister which would be a coup for the Jets. I also read on NBC Sports Edge a comparison to Ezekiel Elliott which would get younger Jet fans extremely giddy.
I understand that people may have qualms about taking a RB as high as the Jets did given the state of the roster and already having Michael Carter. The NFL is a league now where it is best to have 2 legit RB options. Carter flashed a ton as a rookie but I feel he would be better suited as a 1B to 1A given his size and strong ability to catch out of the backfield. The Jets haven’t had a legit workhorse since Chris Ivory but really Thomas Jones in 07/08 is probably the better example. I would not be surprised if Breece Hall is the offensive rookie of the year given the lack of star power at QB in this class and opportunity he will be given.
Get excited Jet fans!