20 NFL bold predictions after the 2022 NFL Draft
By Randy Gurzi
10. Breece Hall wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
Once again, the running back position got no love in the first round of the NFL Draft. After seeing Najee Harris and Travis Etienne go in Round 1 in 2021, there were no running backs taken in the first 32 picks in 2022. However, there were three taken in the second round, leading with Breece Hall from Iowa State.
Taken at No. 36 overall, Hall joins the New York Jets — who had an outstanding draft. They got better on both sides of the ball after adding Ahmad Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Jeremy Ruckert — in addition to Hall.
While Hall was the fourth player taken in this draft, he should be the most impactful as a rookie. New York needs to do everything they can in order to make life easier on second-year quarterback Zach Wilson and getting the running game going would be a huge step in the right direction for them.
Hall should be able to do this for them from day one. He proved with the Cyclones that he’s a guy who can carry the load as he had 3,941 yards in three seasons with 50 touchdowns on the ground. 42 of those rushing touchdowns came in 2020 and 2021.
On top of that, he’s proven he can be a weapon in the passing game as well. Hall pulled in 82 receptions for 734 yards and six touchdowns in three seasons as well.
Look for him to continue to see the ball come his way often in the NFL and that should lead to him being the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Yes, this was the year of the wide receiver in the draft but Breece Hall is in the best position to be a huge impact player from Week 1.