The New York Jets have done a great job of acquiring top-tier young talent over the past few years, and the franchise’s prospects and trajectory have taken a turn for the better heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Jets had three first-round picks and made all of them. Cornerback Sauce Gardner was selected No. 4 and is one of the NFL’s best players at his position.
New York selected wide receiver Garrett Wilson as number 10. Despite incompetent quarterback performance in his first two professional seasons, he exceeded the 1,000-yard mark in both seasons with the Jets.
With the number 26 pick, New York picked edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II. He exploded in his second year, securing a spot on the Pro Bowl team and increasing the productivity of an already dominant defensive unit.
In the second round, general manager Joe Douglas selected running back Breece Hall. His rookie season was shortened by a knee injury, but he could play all 17 games in 2023.
Hall was outstanding, providing consistent performance for the Jets alongside Wilson as their only two reliable offensive weapons. The Iowa State product posted 994 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. A true dual threat, he added 76 receptions for 591 yards and four more touchdowns.
Wilson’s performance was recognized by his peers as he was ranked 72nd on the NFL’s 100 best players for 2024. Hall didn’t make the list, but Alex Kay of Bleacher Report doesn’t think that will be the case for long.
Kay recently put together an article highlighting five players who could break into the top 100 next season. The first player on his list was the talented New York running back.
“…This campaign showed that Hall is fully recovered from knee surgery and ready to establish himself as one of the best, if not the best, running back in the NFL. Gang Green will need the budding superstar to make that leap as well, as playoff expectations are huge now that Rodgers is back in the fold and the offensive trenches have been overhauled.
Barring injury, Hall is on the verge of his first Pro Bowl nomination and should establish himself as one of the few running backs deserving of a top-100 selection in 2025,” Kay wrote.
What Hall accomplished in 2023 despite all the obstacles was truly remarkable. The Jets’ offensive line was not good and opponents were threatened by the passing game.
Despite being outnumbered, Hall got the job done regularly and performed at a high level. With Aaron Rodgers healthy and the offensive line improved, Hall is primed for a career season.
