Fantasy Football: What happened to Breece Hall, and what should you do in 2025?

Hall was fantasy's RB2 from Week 5 on in 2023 despite returning from a torn ACL and having historically bad quarterback play from (mostly) Zach Wilson. Hall followed that up by finishing as the RB18 in a disappointing 2024 despite Wilson getting replaced by a four-time MVP winner and Hall being another year removed from surgery.
Hall lost touches, and the Jets somehow ranked last in rushes inside the five-yard line for the second year in a row. Hall also led the league in RB drops, had a fumbling problem and didn't resemble the explosive player he had been in the past. Hall's 2025 fantasy value has seemingly taken a further hit in the offseason since new coach Aaron Glenn has already stated he's looking at deploying a three-RB committee approach.
Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen both finished with far higher Success Rates than Hall last season, and that came while Hall faced the second-lowest percentage (11.48%) of eight defenders in the box (Allen saw the fourth-lowest). That said, Hall's yards after contact per attempt were solid (better than Bijan Robinson and De'Von Achane), while only D'Andre Swift had a worse RYOE/Att (-0.64) than Allen.
Hall has the pedigree, but it would be a fantasy disaster should Glenn go through with his committee plan.
Breece Hall in 2023 (~10 months removed from an ACL tear):+ 0.31 MTF/touch (~RB5)+ 3.24 YACO/touch (~RB6)In 2024 (with no reported pre- or early-season injuries):+ 0.16 MTF/touch (~RB30)+ 2.56 YACO/touch (~RB23)What happened to that explosiveness?
— Fantasy Points Data (@FantasyPtsData) February 3, 2025
However, last season's advanced metrics concerns and any threat of a committee would quickly go away should Hall return to his previous form, and his disappointing 2024 may be explained by injury. Hall was fantasy's RB7 (averaging more 0.5 PPR points than Jonathan Taylor and as many as Achane) before his ACL forced him to miss time, but it's entirely possible his surgically repaired knee bothered him throughout 2024.
"He's a guy who's proven to be such an amazing teammate this year and his commitment to this game has gone to another place," (then coach) Jeff Ulbrich said of Hall. "His process had gone to another place, and he's been playing with a little bit of pain and fighting his way through that. But it's a thing that's maybe not improving as much as he'd like at this point.'
It would certainly explain Hall's dramatic and sudden loss of explosiveness, as the previous version wasn't losing meaningful touches to players like Allen and Davis.
Now the big question becomes, can Hall's knee return to 100% in 2025?
New starting QB Justin Fields will help open running lanes, and his league-high check-down throw rate should aid targets. There's concern regarding Hall's role at the goal line, but he saw a whopping 80% of the Jets' carries inside the five last season, which was the sixth-highest rate in the league. Hall is entering a contract year and won't be happy sharing touches. He owned a top-five overall ADP in 2024 for a reason, as he's capable of making Allen and Davis afterthoughts. Hall ranks fourth in the league in yards after contact per attempt since 2022, saw the third-most RB targets last season and is still just 23 years old. He looks like a buy-low opportunity coming off an injured season and with fantasy managers worrying about a committee, but ultimately, we need Hall's knee to cooperate.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

an hour ago

• Newsweek

Cowboys Coach Utters Vote of Confidence in Former Pro Bowler

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After being drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft, Jake Ferguson has developed into a productive piece in the Dallas Cowboys offense. Following a lackluster showing last season, one key member of the organization feels he'll be able to turn a new leaf in 2025. In his second season, Ferguson showed the potential of being one of the more productive tight ends in the NFL. He secured his first Pro Bowl selection after racking up 761 yards and five touchdowns. Coming off his best years in the pros, Ferguson's production took a noticeable step back. He'd miss some time due to injury and failed to find the endzone across 14 starts. Despite how things played out for him, Ferguson isn't letting it weigh him down heading into his fourth year with the Cowboys. Also read: Rival Coach Weighs In On Cowboys' Major Offseason Addition Following mandatory minicamp, Ferguson touched on his mindset heading into this season. He admitted to dealing with multiple ailments last year but is confident he'll be able to get back on track. New head coach of the Dallas Cowboys Brian Schottenheimer looks on during at a press conference along side CEO and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones and team owner Jerry Jones. New head coach of the Dallas Cowboys Brian Schottenheimer looks on during at a press conference along side CEO and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones and team owner Jerry Jones."I definitely wasn't satisfied with how I played all last year," Ferguson recently said, via "My knee hurt, for sure. The concussion was weird. But I've said this before, if I'm on the field, I should be able to give it my all. I don't think I've ever played a full season and not scored a touchdown. That was something that I came into this offseason really working on. Just trying to really dial in on those things." Ferguson isn't the only person who is confident he'll return to form for the Cowboys this season. When asked about the young tight end, head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised his mindset and work ethic. "He definitely dealt with some stuff that was hard for him," Schottenheimer said. "Jake's always motivated. Jake is one of those tone setters who just plays the right way. But the look in his eyes and the way his body looks, in terms of physique, and the way he's moving has been noticeably different in a good way." Also read: Cowboys Star Dak Prescott has Clear Goal Heading Into 2025 NFL Season Ferguson should be bracing for a slight dip in targets following the addition of George Pickens. However, he could still be a key piece in the offense. Ferguson benefited greatly from Dak Prescott's MVP-level campaign in 2023. With the star QB returning from an injury-ridden season of his own, the two should be able to re-establish their strong connection on the field. With Pickens and CeeDee Lamb garnering all the attention from opposing defenses, it should create opportunities for Ferguson to be impactful. If he's able to bounce back, he could emerge as an X-factor for the Cowboys' offense. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

USA Today

3 hours ago

• USA Today

'You're not getting scouted at 12': Youth sports tips from a LLWS hero

This is Part 1 of a three-part summer series visiting with three former major league All-Stars turned sports dads. They offer sports and life advice about how we can make our kids better players, but also how get the most out of athletic experiences with them. This week: Youth baseball with Todd Frazier, the former heart of Toms River (New Jersey) Little League who has returned home. Do you have youth sports figured out? "I think if anybody says they know what they're doing," Todd Frazier says, "they'd be lying to themselves." These words come from someone who spent 11 seasons as a standout in the major leagues, who was the MVP of the 1998 Little League World Series, who led off its final game with a home run and who recorded its last out as a pitcher. Today, he coaches his son Blake on the same field of his Jersey Shore township where he played as a kid. He broadcasts the annual championships from the one in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where his team toppled Japan. He watches fellow dads urging on their players, and he knows exactly how they feel. "I'm coaching third base, you're trying to will 'em to hit the ball," Frazier tells USA TODAY Sports. "It's the worst. Now, as a parent understanding it, your son's 0-2 count, we're in the last inning … as a parent, it's very hard to distinguish when they're struggling and when they're doing well. "But everybody's been there." How we handle that moment – and not so much the result our kids produce in it – can define our athletic experiences with them. "There's no book, so you see these parents, some of them are just out of control," says Frazier, 39. "I've learned a lot over the years. I've honed back a little bit, understanding that it's not the end of the world when your kid does strike out with the bases loaded." How do we get to that space with our minds and emotions? Frazier, now a sports dad of three – sons Blake and Grant, 6, who play baseball; and daughter Kylie, 9, a gymnast – spoke to us about gaining the intrinsic value of youth sports while still staying keyed in and competitive. We were connected through his "Squish the Bug" campaign with OFF! Mosquito and Tick Repellents. It stresses batting fundamentals and how kids can stay active and intent through organized sports. 'You're not getting scouted at 12': When you're a kid, it's the experience of sports that matters Brent Musburger is on the call. Frazier swings and launches the pitch into a sea of people beyond the left field wall in Williamsport. When Frazier grew up, there was really nothing around that resembled travel baseball. Little League was everything. Now, in some cases, one entity replaces the other. "Little League is the best, and I feel bad because a lot of kids aren't really experiencing it anymore because they're hearing it from some upper-tier people that say if you don't play travel ball, you'll never go to this college and that," he says. "And I think that's ridiculous. "You're not getting scouted at 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-,12-years old, man; (not) until you get to the big field." Everything, in a way, happens in miniature in Little League. The 12-year-old Frazier, who would grow up to be 6-3, was about 5-2. His 102-pound frame nearly floated around the bases after his leadoff home run and leaped gleefully into a dog pile after it was over. The events of our sporting lives when we are kids, though, are outsized. Sometimes, we think back to them in slow motion. When Frazier looks back, the end of his team's magical run is icing on the cake to the full portrait of moments his Little League career provided. In Williamsport alone, he became good friends with kids from Saudi Arabia and Japan. He traded team pins to other players for theirs and he rode cardboard down the hill at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. "I was telling my wife the other day, my team was the last team to play the last game in Little League Baseball," he says. "Going to Williamsport's great, but the memories I've had were not only for myself but seeing the kids – so-called not really good baseball players – do well and get like a game-winning hit, and to see the smiles on their faces and the parents how excited they are. Those are memories that are lasting. And my success came from the help of a lot of other people. So did I have the skill? Of course. But you know, you need a lot of help as you move along the way." The help starts at the grass roots, back to where Frazier has gone, where our sports journey begins. And it starts with you. A 'good' team begins and end with good parents When kids set out to play baseball, or any sport, big league dreams bounce around their heads. But as they continue onward, the sensory moments they see, feel and experience in real time move front and center. They gain confidence in small steps: recording an out by throwing the ball to the correct base; kicking it within the progression of forward motion of the game; moving naturally to the open spot on the court for an open shot. As they get a little older, we are the ones – Frazier even admits to doing it – most likely to overanalyze what's going on. "Sure, you lose the game or you're eliminated, there's a lot of raw emotion," Patrick Wilson told USA TODAY Sports in March. Wilson is Little League International's president and chief executive officer and a longtime member of the operations ranks of the organization. "But shortly thereafter, they're being 12-year-olds again. They're stealing peoples' hats, trading pins … they move on very quickly. Now the adults, the coaches and their parents, they hold onto it a little longer." Frazier and his old Little League teammates had a different vibe around them, even by the time they reached Williamsport. He felt zero pressure. "None whatsoever," he says. "And I give the credit to the coaches and the parents as well. I think that's another thing in youth sports: If you have really good parents, you're gonna have a pretty good team, whether you win or lose, because you have no complaints. They're not worried about where their kid's hitting. And they're focused on how the coach is coaching and how the kid is getting better each day. And I think that was the big thing for us." Ex-teammate Tom Gannon, who would go on to become a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, told in 2018 that Toms River "had no intentions of getting that far. But we had great coaching, we meshed well as a team, and we gained more confidence as each round went on." First and foremost, they were allowed to be kids. Think of those first road trips your child takes with a team. There are always a few parents who are sticklers about keeping the players away from pools and amusement parks that might tire them out or otherwise distract them from the "reason" they are on the trip. But as I wrote to a reader in 2023, these are also moments that can make the event whole for young players, offering them not only memories but release from the moments you want them to be at their best on the field. "Of course you want to win," Frazier says. "That's just the nature of the beast. But are they getting better? Are they having fun? Are they putting their best foot forward? "It comes with time, and I've learned a lot over the years." 'DON'T BE A HELICOPTER PARENT': A golf giant's advice to help make youth sports more fun 'Sometimes you reach the stars and you hit the moon': Don't be afraid to set grand goals The idea behind Frazier's new campaign is to make a hitting drill more enjoyable and relatable to kids. As you swing, he teaches, turn your back foot as if you're "squishing a bug," which pops your hips through the zone to help with leverage and power. Frazier shot a commercial with Blake at Toms River's Little League complex, where his son is playing 11-year-old All-Stars this summer. Next year, Frazier will coach Blake in Little League as his son looks for his own dream shot at Williamsport. "It's a big leap and bound," Frazier says. "I'm sure he's going to put his best foot forward. But yes, it's a goal and I think young kids nowadays need goals, and I think they need to understand: Set your goals high. You want to bat .500 and you bat .400, that's pretty darn good. So sometimes you reach for the stars and you hit the moon a little bit. That's still pretty good feat." He says, though, he's never really thought about sports goals he has for his kids. His sons and daughter are the ones developing those. "I would love for them all to play professional sports. I think that's the end goal," he says. "But knowing how hard it is, I tell my kids all the time: bring energy, emotion, enthusiasm, to anything you do, and you can't go wrong. Practice the right way. Just be you, but at the same time focus. And I think at this age, if you're focused and under control and not taking any pitches off, you're gonna to have fun and you're gonna to enjoy the moment." Frazier coaches Blake in travel baseball when he's not playing Little League. I have seen them at tournaments in our region. My son approached Frazier and told me how personable and conversant he was with kids on other teams. It's a approach Frazier has used to improve his coaching. COACH STEVE: Parenting tip from sons of former major leaguers 'Expect failure': It's an opportunity for your kid to grow We're back in that situation many sports parents dread: Our son or daughter is up with the bases loaded. When it happens, Frazier now sits back and observes. Whatever happens, it's a launching point for teaching. "Come here," Frazier might say to Blake or one of his other players. "I want to know what you learned from this experience and how we could have made it better, or how you could have done better." He feels having pragmatic and good-natured style is more productive than saying, "What are you doing? Why didn't you swing at this pitch?" We want our kids to initiate solutions, but to learn to cope with situations where they don't succeed. Let them fall and pick themselves up, leaning on you only if they need it. "Expect your kid to fail," Frazier says. "And I think that's hard for them to understand, because in the world we live in, it's the now, now, now … why isn't he doing it now? Why is he doing this? It's not their swing, it's not their hands are dropping, it's not they took their head off the ball. That's just the nature of baseball, and it's gonna happen over and over. And you just got to understand, 'OK, I can live with it, but hopefully he's getting better next time.'" Next week: Chasing success through a high school and college baseball experience Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons' baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here. Got a question for Coach Steve you want answered in a column? Email him at sborelli@

Yahoo

3 hours ago

• Yahoo

Best NFL quarterbacks 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL quarterbacks right now

Who is the best quarterback in the NFL? Patrick Mahomes is the popular answer, and considering he's won two of the last three Super Bowls, that's a fair answer. Yet, we're living in a golden era of quarterback play where others like reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson deserve consideration too. We also can't forget about last year's MVP runner-up Joe Burrow either. Ultimately, there are several options who can be considered among the best NFL quarterbacks. Advertisement Let's dive into our list of the best NFL quarterbacks right now as we approach the 2025 season. 1. Lamar Jackson Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK He didn't win the MVP last year, but the Baltimore Ravens quarterback still had an excellent season, producing an NFL-high 8.8 yards per passing attempt while having the league's best touchdown ratio. Simply put, Jackson was the most dangerous quarterback to defend. As incredible as is with his feet, Jackson has become arguably more potent with his arm. Lamar Jackson stats (2024): 4,172 passing yards, 41 TD, 4 INT, 915 rush yds, 4 TD Related: Best NFL running backs 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL running backs right now 2. Josh Allen Credit: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The first-time NFL MVP winner not only had a career low in interceptions last year, he remained extremely productive despite losing top receiver Stefon Diggs via trade. Allen wasn't bothered and didn't overly rely on his legs like other quarterbacks may do after being forced to change. Others arguably have a No. 1 receiving weapon, but Allen has to do most of the work himself and that gives him a slight boost here. Advertisement Josh Allen stats (2024): 3,731 passing yards, 28 TD, 6 INT, 531 rush yds, 12 TD Related: Best NFL general managers 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL GMs right now 3. Joe Burrow Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The former No. 1 overall pick returned from a torn wrist ligament in 2023 with a vengeance in 2024. Burrow played like his hair was on fire, leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. At times, it felt like Burrow would nearly single-handedly lead the Bengals to the playoffs, but his effort just wasn't enough when combined with a horrific defense in Cincinnati. Still, Burrow is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. Joe Burrow stats (2024:) 4,918 passing yards, 43 TD, 9 INT, 201 rush yds, 2 TD Related: Best NFL wide receivers 2025: Ranking 10 best NFL receivers right now 4. Patrick Mahomes Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images His raw stats may no longer rival the numbers he was putting up earlier in his career with Tyreek Hill, but Patrick Mahomes' postseason results cannot be ignored after leading his team to five of the past seven Super Bowls. Mahomes changed the game with his unique release points, even if it means throwing behind his back or flipping hands if needed. His uncanny ability to make plays on the run makes him one of the toughest players to defend in NFL history, not just today. Advertisement Patrick Mahomes stats (2024:) 3,928 passing yards, 26 TD, 11 INT, 307 rush yds, 2 TD Related: Best NFL tight ends 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL tight ends right now 5. Jayden Daniels Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images What Jayden Daniels did as a rookie was nothing short of incredible, leading the Commanders to the NFC Conference Championship when the team entered the season as a group that won four games the previous season. Now, Daniels has a chance to build upon his numbers, but he could just as easily go the way of C.J. Stroud and disappear from this list altogether heading into the following season. Jayden Daniels stats (2024:) 3,568 passing yards, 25 TD, 9 INT, 891 rush yds, 6 TD Related: Best NFL corners 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL cornerbacks right now 6. Baker Mayfield Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images While the former No. 1 overall pick had to play for a total of four different teams before establishing himself as a franchise quarterback, Baker Mayfield is here to stay now. Still just 30 years old, Mayfield is in his prime and coming off his second consecutive 4,000-yard year. Armed with an even stronger receiver trio led by Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and incoming rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, the sky is the limit for Mayfield this season. Advertisement Baker Mayfield stats (2024:) 4,500 passing yards, 41 TD, 16 INT, 378 rush yds, 3 TD Related: Best NFL coaches 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL coaches right now 7. Jared Goff Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images As a former No. 1 overall pick who led his team to a Super Bowl appearance in his third NFL season, yet was traded just two years later, Jared Goff has experienced the crazy highs and lows of playing in the pros. Yet, Goff has proven to be a tough cookie, and now he's back on top of the mountaintop, leading an extremely potent and efficient offense while having a strong chance to return to the promised land and ideally win this time. Jared Goff stats (2024:) 4,629 passing yards, 37 TD, 12 INT, 56 rush yds, 0 TD Read More: NFL power rankings 2025, evaluating all 32 teams 8. Matthew Stafford Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images At 37, Matthew Stafford is the oldest player on this list, but he hasn't lost his fastball playing in Sean McVay's brilliant offense. If anything Stafford's 16 years of NFL experience has made him an even better quarterback, learning how to get rid of the ball before defenders have a chance to touch him. Advertisement Matthew Stafford stats (2024): 3,762 passing yards, 20 TD, 8 INT, 41 rush yds, 0 TD Read More: NFL defense rankings 2025, evaluating all 32 defenses 9. Jalen Hurts Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Yes, Jalen Hurts just led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl, but he was asked to do farr less as a passer than anyone else on this list. However, his strengths as a rusher who can constantly put the Eagles in advantageous situations cannot be ignored either, now does his extremely efficient playoff run that produced five passing and five rushing touchdowns compared to just one interception. Jalen Hurts stats (2024): 2,903 passing yards, 18 TD, 5 INT, 630 rush yds, 14 TD Related: Highest-paid NFL players 10. Justin Herbert Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images If he returns to peak form iwtht he Pittsburgh Steelers, then Aaron Rodgers deserves consideration here too. Yet, we're going off what players have done lately, and there's no denying Justin Herbert merits a spot in a list of the best NFL quarterbacks for 2025. Herbert is coming off a season where he had the NFL's best interception ratio, and he was in the first year of Jim Harbaugh's system. We expect Herbert to take another step this year thanks to a stronger infrastructure in LA. Advertisement Justin Herbert stats (2024): 3,870 passing yards, 23 TD, 3 INT, 306 rush yds, 2 TD Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings: Who's No. 1 after the NFL Draft? Related Headlines