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The Jets are running in the backroom ready to explode

Posted on by angelo

Heading into the 2024 season, the New York Jets wanted to revitalize their offense. The return of Aaron Rodgers is a good start, but the real progress has come via the offensive line. Two veteran tackles, a healthy Vera-Tucker and an exciting prospect in Olu Fashanu. They have the makings of a stable unit, which is great news for the Jets backroom. After a tremendous return from ACL surgery, Breece Hall shined with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage. Such production, barely more than a calendar year without ACL surgery, is impressive. However, he is not the only talent within this group of running backs in 2024.

The Jets are running in the backroom ready to explode

Equipped with a destructive defense, Joe Douglas needed the New York Jets’ offense to catch up. After regrouping the offensive line and adding Mike Williams and Malachi Corley to the wide receiver room, they are on the right track. To maximize Aaron Rodgers’ talents after such a brutal injury, the Jets will rely on the ground game this year. Fortunately, this group will be led by the wisdom of Tony Dews. The new running backs coach arrives in New York after spending six years in Tennessee. Dews spent the previous six seasons at Tennessee, most recently as the Titans’ tight end coach. During this period, he worked closely with Derrick Henry, helping him to over 1,000 rushing yards in those six seasons. The value of working with Dews can expand Hall’s potential like never before.

Brece Room

Breece Hall has a golden opportunity this season. The 2022 second-round draft pick is now more than a year removed from October’s torn ACL that stole his stellar rookie season. Back with a grudge against him, Breece Hall has proven that he can be one of the best running backs in the league. In addition to his 994 rushing yards and five touchdowns, he has also become a useful tool in the passing game. He showed receiving potential at Iowa State that came in handy last year. Hall had 76 receptions for over 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns with a revolving door of quarterbacks. With the improvements to the offensive line, the return of Aaron Rodgers and the experience of Tony Dews, Breece Hall can solidify himself as one of the top 5 running backs in the league.

Braelon Allen

Like the arrival of Breece Hall in 2022, Braelon Allen has the chance to shine in 2024. The youngest member of the running backs room at 20 years old continues a strong tradition of talented Wisconsin running backs. Braelon Allen was teammates with center Joe Tippmann for the first two years in the Big Ten. They were quite a productive duo. With Tippmann creating the running lanes, Allen ran for over 1,200 yards in consecutive seasons with Tippmann under center. That kind of continuity is exactly what they need when Breece Hall needs a break. Additionally, Allen showed his abilities as a pass protector. At 6’1″ and 235 lbs, Allen can be a useful extra blocker when needed. He will have every chance to occupy the second string position behind Hall.

Israel Abanikanda

Competing against Allen will be 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda. A frustrating start to his career, Abanikanda was losing races to free agent Dalvin Cook. After Cook’s release, Abanikanda was used in limited action. Finishing his rookie season with just 70 yards on 22 carries, Abanikanda wants more. The former University of Pittsburgh star running back showed great potential in his freshman year. He finished with 1,431 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. That includes breaking Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett’s single-game rushing record. If Nathaniel Hackett wants to save this offense, he needs to use Abanikanda more.

Isaiah Davis

Along with Allen, the Jets added a second running back in the draft. South Dakota State’s Jack Rabbit, Isaiah Davis. Unbeknownst to most fans, Isaiah Davis was a force in the FCS. At 6’1″ and 220 lbs, Davis showcased his breakaway speed in helping the Jackrabbits win back-to-back FCS Championships. An offensive force with over 3,029 yards and 33 touchdowns combined in his final two seasons. He earned FCS First Team All-American honors. Keeping Breece Hall healthy is vital to the Jet’s success. If Isaiah Davis can put together productive runs, it could make all the difference in Hall’s durability throughout the season.

The Lions, Ravens and 49ers all finished in the top 10 in rushing yards. All three made conference championship appearances. The Jets hope to replicate this formula to catch Kansas City this season. With an improved offensive line, stability at quarterback and four talented running backs; they could close this gap sooner than expected.

Main photo: (Kevin R. Wexler) – USA Today Sports