Jets' Breece Hall disrespected by ESPN after down 2024 season

The New York Jets are going to have a good running game in 2025. I can confidently say that based on their new philosophy, their choice in quarterback, their draft picks and the overall tone of the team. It appears that they are trying to build the type of team that will tell you they are running the ball and where and dare you to stop it. For the record, I think you can win a lot of games with that philosophy, but without a passing attack, a deep playoff run is out of the question.

One of the main reasons the Jets are going to be focused on the running attack is because of the stable of running backs on the team. The leader of that group is Breece Hall who many assume is going to have a big year given the Jets new-found philosophy and personnel.

But not everyone in the league sees the same big numbers in Breece’s future as the media would have us believe. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions. Voters gave ESPN their 10 best players at a position, which they then compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.

When all that was done, Breece Hall was left out of the top 10 of running backs. Saquon Barkley was ranked number one (deservedly so) and Alvin Kamara finished at number 10. Breece Hall was the fourth player listed in the “honorable mention” category.

"He's been one of the best in the league at points. I just haven't felt the same way recently. I know the injuries have been an issue," said one NFL coordinator. "That's not all his fault. He was in a bad offense. Still has good lower-body balance and home run juice," said a veteran AFC personnel executive

Last year, Hall was second behind only the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey but took a step back in rushing yards (876), catches (57) and touchdowns (8) as the offense failed to gain any real traction. In fact, the rushing game was the source of Aaron Rodgers’ frustration and he is still complaining about it while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McCaffery, meanwhile is still listed at number five on the list despite carrying the ball only 50 times last season for the struggling San Francisco 49ers.

In my opinion, this was more disrespect to the New York Jets as an organization than to Breece Hall himself. Breece played through some injuries last season on a team that was leaderless and still managed to put up some decent numbers. I expect Hall to have a bounce back year and can see him finishing in the top 10 in many offensive categories this season.