Breece Hall already has the kind of trait that can flip a game in one snap: burst. When he’s rolling, the New York Jets back looks like one of the league’s most dangerous open-field runners, the sort who can turn a routine carry into a chunk play before the defense even reacts.
That big-play ability showed up in a telling number from Pro Football Focus. Their “breakaway percentage” metric tracks how much of a runner’s yardage comes on gains of 15 yards or more, and Hall landed fifth among 49 qualified running backs in 2025, finishing at 36.8% with a minimum of 100 carries.
Only four backs finished ahead of him: De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins at 46.1%, Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions at 40.6%, TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots at 38.1% and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens at 37.9%. Hall sat just behind that group and ahead of Kenneth Walker III, Omarion Hampton, J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson.
The number fits the eye test. Hall has always had the kind of elusiveness and acceleration that make him a threat to rip off a long run at any moment, but his career has also been shaped by factors outside his control, especially shaky offensive line play. This past season was the first time he had a competent line in front of him, and the difference was real.
He also crossed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, which made the season a major step forward. The Jets’ run blocking was only around league average, but that was still a huge improvement from being one of the league’s worst units.
And there may be more coming. If the offensive line takes another step and becomes a top-10 group, Hall’s ceiling gets even more interesting.
There’s also a receiving angle here. As Michael Nania broke down, Hall is expected to be used more as a pass-catching back this season.
That makes sense when you look at the numbers: Hall has averaged 8.7 yards per reception over his career, which ranks sixth among 47 qualified running backs over that span. Even so, he was only 14th among running backs in targets last year with 48.
That kind of usage was, as the source put it, “nothing short of malpractice.”
How Frank Reich handles Hall in the passing game will be worth watching, especially because Reich has historically leaned on his running backs as receivers. In the receiver projections, Hall was forecast for 50 targets, 35 catches, 425 yards and two touchdowns.
Put that together with the chance for more explosive runs behind an improving offensive line, and Hall has a clear path to another career year.
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