Ex-Jets Scout Explains Why New York Should Pick Breece Hall in 2022 NFL Draft

This former Jets scout thinks New York should snag Breece Hall in the 2022 NFL draft.
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The Jets need to take pressure off of second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, and one of the surefire ways to do that is by improving the running game.

There is a name out there who can do just that.

His name is Breece Hall, out of Iowa State, and in the minds of many, he is the top back in this draft class.

Hall is RB1 on my board.

He conjures up memories of Adrian Peterson watching him run the ball. Hall will pound and pound and pound and then explode for a home run.

Hall has thrown up huge numbers in college and his production screams workhorse.

  • 2021: 253 attempts, 1,472 yards, 5.8 avg., 20 touchdowns and a long of 80 yards.
  • 2020: 279 attempts, 1,572 yards, 5.6 avg., 21 touchdowns and a long of 75 yards.

Mix in his receiving yards…

  • 2021: 36 receptions, 302 yards, 8.4 avg., 3 touchdowns
  • 2020: 23 receptions, 180 yards, 7.8 avg., 2 touchdowns

This guy is a do-it-all-back who will be drifting down towards the bottom of the first, top of the second round (only because the league does not value franchise backs the way they used to).

The Jets are sitting there currently with the No. 35 and No. 38 picks and it is possible Hall could fall to them, or they could package those two picks and move up.

It is all about getting dynamic, game-changing players early in the draft, and Hall is all that and a bag of chips. He is a player who could step in from day one to either be the featured back or he could compliment Michael Carter in the offensive game plan.

Either way, the Jets must get better on the ground if they hope to dial down the heat on Wilson.

Should the New York Jets Pick Iowa State RB Breece Hall in the 2022 NFL Draft?

This former Jets scout says New York should do their best to add Breece Hall to their running back room this month.

Grading Breece Hall

Iowa State RB Breece Hall running
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

6-foot-1, 220 pounds

40-yard dash time: 4.39

2021 game film reviewed: Texas, Iowa and West Virginia

Grade: First-Round

Scouting Report

Iowa State RB Breece Hall running at NFL Combine
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Patient complete back with game-breaking speed, vision and balance. 20-30 attempts per-game back. Tests and is able to exploit the slightest of creases and holes. Physical. Tough as nails. Will keep slamming it up in there looking for the opening until he finds it. Runs hard. Good instincts. Disciplined runner. Cut back, one cut runner who is not elusive, but he shows explosive quickness and acceleration up through the hole. Flashed spin move. Has some real get up and go like a sports car. Charges into the second level and then he is off to the races. Unselfish player who will stay in for blitz pickup. Exhibited good hands out of the backfield. Catches with hands. Best once he reaches the perimeter and gets out in space. Legit threat out of the backfield as a receiver. Graceful looking. Runs with purpose. End zone minded. Wants to score and will keep going until a defender and a strong tackling effort stops him.

Bottom Line

Iowa State RB Breece Hall in warmups
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Hall is a superstar waiting to happen.

Hall is a future All-Pro.

Fantasy owners need to get to know the name, and defensive coordinators around the NFL should start game-planning and figuring out a way to try to stop him.

If the Jets are lucky enough to land Hall, let’s just put it this way…

New York has not had a back like Hall since they had Curtis Martin.

Trust me, I was there. 

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Daniel Kelly
DANIEL KELLY

Daniel spent four years in pro scouting with the New York Jets and brings vast experience scouting pro and college talent. Daniel has appeared in many major publications, including the New York Times and USA Today. Author of Whatever it Takes, the true story of a fan making it into the NFL, which was published in 2013. He has appeared on podcasts around the world breaking down and analyzing the NFL. Currently writes for SI All Lions. You can contact Daniel at whateverittakesbook@gmail.com