The NFL has finally started to give credit to NY Jets running back Breece Hall. While he was just a few yards shy of 1,000 rushing last year due to a coaching staff mathematical error, those who have seen Hall play are well aware of the transformative effect he has on an offense.
Hall was extremely productive with an offensive line that was literally pulling players off the street and the worst quarterback room the game had to offer. Despite all that, Hall was still piling up 100-yard games with regularity in just his second season. Hall has quickly become an elite running back.
While the rest of the league won't look past the raw numbers to observe how talented Hall has become in such short order, NFL.com analyst and former Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew is well aware of the mercurial talent bubbling to the surface. Hall's skill is reflected in his rankings of every team's starting running back.
Hall was ranked third in the league among starting running backs. The only ones higher than him are two possible Hall of Fame players in 49ers star Christian McCaffrey and Ravens star Derrick Henry. Being put anywhere near that elite company shows just how far Hall has come.
Jets' Breece Hall ranked as No. 3 RB by former NFL star
Hall piled up 1,585 yards from scrimmage last season, reeling in almost 80 catches while being one of exactly two offensive players (Garrett Wilson being the other) who had an above-average season. Imagine what he could do with Aaron Rodgers.
The Pro Bowl snub will not only get the benefit of Rodgers reducing the number of stacked boxes he will face, but he will also see bigger holes thanks to an improved offensive line. Tyron Smith, John Simpson, and Morgan Moses will move into the starting lineup while Olu Fashanu waits in the wings.
Hall and Wilson don't have the numbers to necessarily go toe-to-toe with some of the other elite players at their respective positions. However, when one considers the context in which they put up those numbers, it's hard to put Hall anywhere outside the top five.