Iowa State RB Breece Hall is widely regarded as one of, if not the top-ranked dynasty fantasy football running back in 2022. Following a successful collegiate career, what are Hall’s strengths, are there any concerns, and which landing spots would be ideal for his dynasty value in 2022 and beyond?
Breece Hall’s fantasy profile
The 2022 rookie class is top-end heavy. Last year, second-round picks carried the most value. This year, dynasty managers will find the best value in Round 1 — ideally, inside the top 10 (there is a drop-off even in the back end of the first). However, those in the early part of the round will be greeted by several high-end players, such as Iowa State‘s Hall.
Since the 2020 preseason, Hall has been considered the top RB of this class. When looking at his body of work, it’s evident why. Taking over the backfield as a true freshman in 2019, Hall maintained this role for three years, each one seemingly better than the last.
After a 1,149-combined-yardage season as a true freshman with 10 touchdowns, Hall recorded back-to-back seasons of 1,750+ yards with 23 touchdowns in each of 2020 and 2021.
Averaging 2.09 yards per team play and 5.7 yards per attempt in his last two seasons, Hall checks virtually every box from an analytics standpoint. Still just 20 years old, Hall possesses prototypical size at 6’1″ and 215 pounds.
In my pre-draft process, which heavily relies on film grades, Hall, Isaiah Spiller, and Kenneth Walker III were the clear top RBs. Hall and Spiller were within 0.2 points on a 1 to 100 scale. Spiller has come in as No. 3 of the group, but I’m letting draft capital and landing spot make the final decision on the final rankings. As for Hall, he is a locked-in top-three pick in 1QB dynasty formats with the skills to be the 1.01 and become a top-12 RB in dynasty and fantasy leagues for years to come.
Strengths
Whether laterally or getting upfield, Hall’s athleticism is unquestioned. Where Spiller is more dynamic and fluid in his cuts and open-field agility, Hall moves with an explosive purpose.
In my grading process, vision is the highest-weighted attribute. After all, if you can’t see the hole, nothing else matters. Hall might have the best vision of the class. The only RB I would say rivals him is Spiller.
Where the two separate a touch is Hall possesses more long speed and showcased slightly better contact balance. In college, defenders bounced off of Hall. Several of those who tried were met with a stiff arm to the facemask.
Hall also ticks the receiving box, which has become almost a must for an elite fantasy option. Over two years, Hall had 59 catches (66 targets) for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns. While he isn’t a Jonathan Taylor-level prospect, Hall has the upside to be a mid-to-low-end RB1 moving forward.
Weaknesses
It’s difficult to be overly critical of Hall. But if I were to note a few things, for one, I would say that Hall doesn’t always run with the power of an RB his size can. He’s not the most physical rusher you’ll watch. There are times when his leg drive doesn’t get him through defenders.
Hall also doesn’t have elite change-of-motion skills. When he comes to a stop, it takes just a split second longer to get back going. Now, when he does, his burst is phenomenal. At times, Hall can be somewhat tentative or indecisive. Nevertheless, this is me being nitpicky on a great running back. Nothing in Hall’s scouting profile concerns me or raises a red flag.
Hall’s injury history
Running backs, no matter the build, get dinged up. It’s part of the job. Despite receiving a substantial amount of volume (800 touches), Hall avoided injury while at Iowa State.
The only game Hall missed in his career was the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson. Hall opted out of the game to focus on preparing for the NFL Draft. Sure, he did have the bumps and bruises that come with playing a violent game. Yet, after 36 games spanning three seasons, Hall passes the medical evaluation part of his fantasy profile with flying colors.
Breece Hall drafted by the New York Jets
The No. 1 RB, in the eyes of the vast majority of the fantasy community, is also the first running back selected in the NFL draft. Not only was he drafted, but the New York Jets traded up to pick No. 36 to select the Iowa State bell cow.
The Jets have crushed this draft, and while this might sting fantasy managers, from an NFL aspect, this is sensational. Hall will come in as the lead back, pushing Michael Carter to a satellite role. Carter, when he got his feet under him, had a stretch that suggested he could be a lead NFL back, leading the NFL in scrimmage yards with 405 over a four-week stretch. While Carter can match Hall in the receiving game, Hall is by far a better rusher. He will likely lead the RB touches/opportunities with a 60/40 or 65/35 margin as the Jets move to a two-back scheme.
Ideally, I would have liked Hall in Atlanta or even Indianapolis, but Hall could thrive in New York in the wide-zone rushing scheme of HC Robert Saleh and OC Mike LaFleur. Hall, pending other signings, will remain my RB1 for dynasty and in most cases, the 1.01 in rookie drafts. Unless you need a receiver and want Drake London or even Treylon Burks, Hall has all the aspects of a future RB1 for dynasty with top-10 upside.