Approach Jets backfield with caution in fantasy drafts

Maybe it shouldn't come as a shock that Hall isn't the clear No. 1 running back in New York. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur comes from Kyle Shanahan's system, which rarely relies on just one running back. Three 49ers backs received between 80-130 carries in 2020, albeit with injuries a factor, and San Francisco alternated Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman on its way to the Super Bowl in 2019. 

In fact, Mostert and Coleman each received 137 carries, and Matt Breida wasn't far behind with 123. By the end of the season, Mostert would be featured on one drive and Coleman would be featured on the next. Neither ran for more than 800 yards. Is that a window into the dynamic we could see between Hall and Carter early on?

Head coach Robert Saleh had high praise for the Jets backfield, according to a New York Daily News report on Wednesday. 

"They’re young, they’re fresh, they play hard, they’re smart, they’re dynamic, they’re four very different backs and you just trust that with their mindset that they’re going to be able to get it done," Saleh said of the running back room.

Behind Hall and Carter on the depth chart are Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight, who don't figure to be major fantasy factors unless injuries hit. 

Hall's biggest advantage on Carter might be his draft position. He was the first running back off the board in April when the Jets selected him 36th overall. Taking a running back that early indicates how highly New York views Hall. 

The best-case scenario for fantasy owners, provided everyone is healthy, might be that Hall separates himself in the early weeks of the season and emerges as the feature back as the year goes on.

Carter's pass-catching ability means he will always have a role in the offense, but Hall is probably better suited to handle early-down work and carries a much higher ceiling. Until one separates himself from the other, though, fantasy owners should be cautious when considering Hall early in drafts.