Should fantasy football managers be concerned about the New York Jets’ workload for Breece Hall?

Heading into the 2024 NFL season, New York Jets running back Breece Hall was one of the most popular players heading into fantasy football drafts.

Managers, wanting to ensure they had a workhorse running back on their roster, targeted the talented Iowa State product as early as the middle of the first round. His high average draft position was justified due to the productivity he showed up to this point in his career.

A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hall made an immediate impact as a rookie. But a torn ACL in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos ended his first professional season.

Coincidentally, in the second year of his career, the coaching staff finally released him as lead back in a Week 5 game against the Broncos. He previously shared work with the experienced Dalvin Cook.

His production was outstanding. Despite failing to break the 50-yard mark on the ground in nine straight weeks, Hall’s dual-threat skills made him as productive as any running back in the league.

He caught at least three passes in all but one of those nine games and reached the end zone a total of four times. He reached the 50-yard receiver plateau five times, more than making up for his lack of success on the ground.

In the final three games of the season, Hall rushed for 357 yards and three touchdowns, while also making 23 receptions for 150 yards and another score. Because of this strong finish, people expected another big role in 2024.

Overall he didn’t disappoint us. He scored a touchdown in every game, once again demonstrating his elite dual-threat ability.

However, there is cause for concern for the fantasy football manager as his workload has decreased significantly.

As JJ Zachariason of Late-Round Fantasy Football shared on X, his running back rush percentage has declined each week of the season. The touches are encouraging, but owners should pay attention.

One reason his workload could have been reduced was the terrible schedule the Jets had early in the season. After playing the San Francisco 49ers away on Monday Night Football in Week 1, they visited the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 before hosting the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 3.

It makes a lot of sense to keep your wear and tear as low as possible and play three games in eleven days. New York has bigger goals and aspirations that Hall must be healthy to achieve.

Unfortunately, there is another big reason why Hall saw fewer touches than last season. The team now appears to have a capable replacement who deserves his own role.

Rookie Braelon Allen has been excellent in relief, averaging 5.1 yards per carry in his first three career games. He’s no slouch in the passing game either, catching six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Hall is still the starter and running back, but he may not be the workhorse many in the fantasy football world expected. Allen has earned a role in this offense and could continue to earn the running back role, especially if the fumbling issues continue into the back’s third year.