2 free-agent running backs the Jets could target to complement Breece Hall

The New York Jets made a choice to ensure that Breece Hall remained in the fold before the opening of free agency, hitting him with the franchise tag. Theoretically, Hall could still agree to a deal with another club, but if New York refused to match, Hall's new team would be required to send over two first-round picks.

The market for Hall was shaping up to be hotter than originally expected, but the chances of another team doling out a massive contract plus two firsts for a running back are nonexistent. With that, the Jets will be paying the hefty sum of $14.293 million for 2026 should they not come to a long-term agreement before the July 15 deadline.

With so much money invested in a non-premium position, it might seem like running back can be crossed off Gang Green's shopping list. However, there could be an underrated need in the stable behind Hall.

Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are Joe Douglas holdovers selected for a different offensive coordinator. Their spots might not be as safe as they seem. Allen is coming off a sprained MCL that ended up being worse than expected, and ended his season after Week 4. Davis might not be in the Frank Reich mold.

During Reich's tenure as the Indianapolis Colts head coach, he had the benefit of Jonathan Taylor for the back half of it, but the first running back drafted during Reich's tenure was speedy, pass-catcher extraordinaire Nyheim Hines.

With that preference in mind, two free-agent running backs stick out as cheap potential additions should the Jets want to remake the backfield depth behind Hall.

Two cost-effective free-agent running backs the Jets could target to pair with Breece Hall

Kenneth Gainwell

Hines ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and caught 240 passes over five seasons in Indianapolis. Kenneth Gainwell didn't get a ton of opportunities over the first four years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the similarities between him and Hines are striking.

Gainwell ran a 4.42 40, and after playing a career-high 50% of the offensive snaps last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, showed what he could do as a receiver, catching 73 balls for 486 yards and three touchdowns. He'd also add another 537 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns.

Reich likes game-breakers, and the speedy Gainwell could ensure the Jets can bring another one in off the bench whenever Hall needs a breather.

Sean Tucker

A star at Syracuse, Sean Tucker went undrafted in 2023, landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his three seasons in Tampa, Tucker never got more than 16% of the snaps in a single season. That didn't stop him from punching in seven touchdowns on the ground last season.

Tucker isn't a polished receiver, but with a nose for the end zone and an explosiveness that allowed him to record 6.2 yards per carry in 2024, he could be an intriguing addition to the backfield at a low cost.