Jets Country 2022 Draft Review: One Hall-uva Running Back Pick
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Pick No. 36 (Round 2)
Running Back
2022 Games Played: 7 (2 starts)
Jets Country Re-Grade: A-
Breece Hall had an electrifying effect on the New York Jets' offense during his first weeks as a professional.
Gang Green Jets posted a 5-2 record in games that included the rookie running back.
Unfortunately, Hall's maiden NFL voyage ended prematurely in Week 7 due to a torn ACL just as the explosive playmaker was beginning to thrive.
Before he suffered the season-ending injury in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos, Hall needed only four carries to rack up 72 yards and a touchdown.
Showing great acceleration, the 6-foot-1 Hall totaled 681 yards from scrimmage during his limited time on the field. The Iowa State product, who was building a serious candidacy for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, averaged 5.8 yards per carry and added 19 receptions for 219 yards.
Hall earned double-digit touches for the first time in Week 3 against Cincinnati, rushing eight times for 39 yards and catching six passes for 53 yards.
The multi-faceted threat out of the backfield gained at least 10 receiving yards in each of his first six games prior to the Week 7 injury.
"A guy who can catch the ball, make people miss, run you over and somebody that plays hard," said Hall, providing a self assessment after being drafted.
One week after logging his first career 100-yard receiving day in a win over Miami, Hall exceeded the century mark on the ground in Green Bay. He carried 20 times for 116 yards and a score in the 27-10 road victory.
Hall was living up to his pre-draft billing as the top running back prospect in the 2022 class. The Jets made the two-time Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year the first ball carrier to be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft at No. 36 overall.
Gang Green swapped second-round picks with the New York Giants to jump up two spots, ensuring Hall would be available for the taking. The Seattle Seahawks took Michigan State's Kenneth Walker at No. 41 overall.
Modern day thinkers say not to use a premium draft asset on a running back, but it's hard to knock the Jets for taking Hall in Round 2 after seeing what he's capable of at the NFL level.
"Just being able to touch the ball a lot and have a lot of opportunity, that's all I need," said Hall last spring.
Hall hopes to get his share of touches from the get-go this season as he works his way back from ACL surgery.
“Breece (Hall) looks fantastic,” said head coach Robert Saleh at the league meetings last month.
General manager Joe Douglas delivered a similar update at the NFL Combine in late February.
“Yeah, Breece is doing great in his recovery. I know he had a visit with Dr. Cooper in Dallas, and he’s progressing great,” said Douglas.
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