Each summer since 2011, NFL Network puts together their NFL Top 100, a 100-1 countdown of the best players in the National Football League, as voted on by the players. While the list, in its entirety, is yet to be revealed, apparently one player who was hopeful of earning inclusion on this list has already gotten word that he won't be making the cut in 2024. And that means whatever team is facing Breece Hall and the New York Jets each week better be ready, because the third-year back is going to be running with an even bigger chip on his shoulder than he already has.
Last season, Breece Hall rushed for 994 yards and 5 touchdowns on 223 carries. He also hauled in 76 receptions for 591 yards, each of which was the most among running backs. Keep in mind, Hall was the featured back on an abysmal New York Jets offense that was 29th in scoring and 31st in total yards, yet the Iowa State product still managed to put up huge numbers, including one feat accomplished by only five other players in league history prior to him.
In a 30-28 New York Jets win over the Washington Commanders late last season, Hall became one of only six players in NFL history to record multiple games of at least 95 rushing yards and 95 receiving yards, according to Justin Fried of The Jet Press. Mind you, this performance came just 14 months after Hall had suffered a season-ending ACL and meniscus tear during his rookie season.
As for that chip on Breece Hall's shoulder, it appeared shortly after he slipped to the 2nd round in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hall said of his 1st round snub, “I definitely took some receipts It sucked, but I'm here for a reason. I definitely do want to prove every week why I should've been a first-round pick and why I was worthy of that. That's a little internal motivation for sure.” (h/t Colin Martin of SNY).
Who is ahead of Breece Hall on the NFL Top 100?
Only 12 running backs rushed for more yards than Breece Hall last season, including Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry, the two safest bets to be on the list again in 2024. A Detroit Lions duo of backs (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) are likely to make the cut, as is new Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who was 31st on the list last year.
Among the others who might've edged out Hall are a pair of rookies, Bijan Robinson and De'Von Achane, and emerging star Kyren Williams, who missed five contests but led the league in rushing yards per game. Josh Jacobs was the highest-ranked running back on the 2023 list, coming in at #12 after leading the league in rushing and being named a 1st Team All-Pro. The highest ranked running back in 2022 was Colts workhorse Jonathan Taylor, who like Jacobs, missed time during the 2023 season.
Right there are ten running backs, and historically, that has seemed to be the sweet spot when it comes to running backs on the NFL Top 100. Since the list's inception 13 years ago, an average of 10.4 running backs make the cut each year, but one would assume that with one more big season in New York, Breece Hall's time on the NFL Top 100 is coming soon.
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