Tag: Isaiah Davis

The New York Jets should modify their usage of HB Breece Hall

The New York Jets should modify their usage of HB Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall averaged a horrid 0.4 yards per carry versus the stingy Denver Broncos defense in week 4.

As previously stated, Hall might not be the best running back on the Jets’ depth chart, especially when the team needs those tough yards on early downs, and inside the hashes in the a red-zone. Rookie Braelon Allen however, who finished the game with a 4.2 yards per carry average, has merited more reps.

With a chance to ignite the home fans at Met life Stadium in the first half, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett watched Hall get stuffed on two consecutive red-zone plays, stalling out a drive that started in plus territory.

Hall’s dynamics are above exceptional, but work ideally on outside zone run plays, screens, and finesse like concepts. Contrarily, Allen is the tougher and more physical back and should be the primary in games where tougher defenses are the opponent.

Hackett needs to adjust his usage of Hall to best fit the team. Changes won’t make Hall any less of a player, but instead make his reps more impactful and efficient.

Breece Hall might not be the best HB on the Jets’ depth chart

Breece Hall had just 54 yards rushing vs. the 49ers and OC Nathaniel Hackett should consider playing other HB’s on the Jets’ depth chart.

New York Jets running back Breece Hall finished week 1 with a dismal 3.4 yards per carry average versus the San Francisco 49ers. Perhaps offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett should consider delegating reps to other backs on the team depth chart.



With the inability to establish the run, the Jets’ offense became one dimensional and were bullied by the 49ers’ pass rush. Hackett will have to relinquish his ideals and understand that his rigid approach led to the exhaustion of the Jets’ defense that spent 38:40 minutes on the field.

Moreover, Jets’ running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are well able to take reps with the starters and should be deployed in and out of personnel packages throughout the game. Hall, who fumbled early in the first quarter and dropped a pass in the 2nd half has not gained enough merit to work as the sole proprietor of the teams’ rushing attack.

Through 16 total carries, Hall produced just 54 yards and that stat is mildly deceiving considering his sole 16-yard run.

Ultimately, Hall should remain the starter, but Allen just might be the more serviceable running back in short yardage and red-zone situations. Davis and Hall can thus function interchangeably as pass catcher out of the backfield in third down situations.

Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed & the No. 1 ranked New York Jets pass defense

Having practice reps versus Aaron Rodgers during training camp has only made Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets pass defense better.

Last season the New York Jets led the entire NFL in opponent pass yards allowed per game. Sure, defensive back Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed didn’t tally up a bunch of interceptions but they did combine for 21 pass deflections.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be afforded the opportunity to blitz opponents often knowing he has a group of stellar defensive backs. Jarrick Bernard-Converse also had a good preseason and will likely see reps as the slot defensive back when Ulbrich goes to his nickel personnel.

 

Reed, Gardner, and Bernard-Converse all have the ability to play man coverage and will allow safety Chuck Clark to cheat inside to help with run stop support. Opponents weren’t forced to throw the ball a lot versus the Jets last season because the Jets were horrific on offense but that’s likely to change.

The 2024 Jets’ offensive attack will lead to more scoring and game leads this year forcing opponents into passing the ball at higher volumes.

There isn’t a wide receiver in the NFL that does not respect Gardner as an elite defender. Having been afforded the opportunity to get practice reps versus Aaron Rodgers during training camp, the Jets’ pass defense will only become more potent as the season progresses.

Aaron Rodgers will help the New York Jets convert on third-down this season

With QB Aaron Rodgers healthy, the New York Jets are unlikely to rank No. 32 in third-down conversion rate like they did in 2023.

The New York Jets ranked No. 32 in the NFL on third-down in 2023. Surely, the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will bring some resolve to their offensive struggles.

The Jets’ defense spent the most time of any NFL team on the field last season and somehow, they still gave up the fewest pass yards per game.

Just imagine how prolific the defense has the potential to be if Rodgers can sustain offensive drives and get them rest this upcoming season.

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With a quality run-game developing, Rodgers won’t have to throw for 30-35 pass attempts every game. Instead his strengths will work as an asset in a balanced offensive attack.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will likely preserve Rodgers, using his accuracy as an advantage in the quick pass game. Not that this is some newly found plan, Rodgers was simply injured last season.

If the Jets can keep themselves in short-yardage situations on offense, they could potentially lead the NFL in both total first downs and time of possession this upcoming season.

Braleon Allen, Isaiah Davis, & Breece Hall: New York Jets HB personnel

Stopping the run will be much more difficult for New York Jets opponents in 2024.

With the return of quarterback Aaron Rogers and three quality running backs on their roster, the New York Jets should carry a more balanced attack on offense in 2024.

The Jets ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pass yards per attempt last season. With an inability to pass the ball, the Jets allowed opponents the affordance to play man coverage and focus in on defending the run.

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Stopping the run will be much more difficult for Jets’ opponents in 2024. Rookie running backs Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are alrerady looking good in preseason so attrition may be a strong point for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett when considering his personnel packages.

Allen & Davis will share carries with starting running back Breece Hall throughout the season.

Furthermore, with the luxury of depth at the running back position, Rodgers may only have to complete a moderate 23-27 passes per game. Based on the HB stretch runs seen deployed in Hackett’s offense throughout preseason, the Jets are developing a niche based on the rush attack and quick passing game.

If things manifest ideally, Rodgers will fit splendidly into Hackett’s scheme powered by three talented running backs. This should help Rodgers spend less time aggravating that Achilles the critics scorn him endlessly about.

VIDEO: Nathaniel Hackett reproves Andrew Peasley for RPO read vs. Commanders

New York Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett is working tediously to optimize the offensive attack before the 2024 NFL season.

New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers are working tediously to optimize the offensive attack before the 2024 NFL season. Yet, reserve quarterback Andrew Peasley decided to go off script on this 2nd quarter play from Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

Understanding play sequencing is crucial to understanding how efficient an offensive coordinator can be. For Hackett, he sent in the perfect play call for 3rd & 1 from his own 38 yard line. Hackett wants as many exhibition reps as possible on offense and he can only do so by continuously moving the chains.

Criticism for Hackett, head coach Robert Saleh, and Rodgers continue to surface throughout the media. However, Hackett’s offensive attack seems to mesh ideally with his new personnel.

As more All-22 NFL film emergences throughout preseason, a vivid understanding of how Hackett wants to run the Jets’ offense will materialize. For now, Hackett is focused on making sure all of his chess pieces function according to schedule.

Peasley will continue his trial with the New York Jets in competition with quarterback Tyrod Taylor, rookie Jordan Travis, and Adrian Martinez who played well in the win over the Commanders last week. With only 53 spots on the team roster, it’s understandable as to why Peasley tried for the home-run on such a basic read.

Should New York Jets RB Breece Hall be handcuffed?

Is there a direct fantasy replacement should Hall miss time?

Most NFL teams have backup plans in case of injury to their primary running backs. Some opt for a timeshare that plays to the strengths of two or three guys. When there’s a clear lead back, many teams make sure they have an understudy waiting for his chance or a veteran with a history as Plan B.

The New York Jets have no such plan. Breece Hall is the clear-cut starter and a first-round fantasy pick. Hall has the potential to be a three-down dominator, but injuries happen in the NFL, and the Jets have three players with a combined 29 NFL touches in six games. There’s no Plan B in New York, except for these three unknowns….

Jets select South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis at pick No. 173

Jets select South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis at pick No. 173

The Jets took a second running back in this draft (and fifth offensive player in five picks), selecting Isaiah Davis of South Dakota State at pick No. 173.

Davis averaged about 1,500 yards over the last two seasons for the Jackrabbits and across his four-year career, rushed for 4,548 yards on 676 attempts (6.7 yards per carry) with 50 rushing touchdowns (18 in 2023). The Jackrabbits won the FCS national championship each of the last two seasons.

Davis is another back with good size in this draft for the Jets, following Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen. Davis checked in at 6-0 and 220 pounds at his Pro Day. He is a strong runner and could help the Jets on early downs. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler compared Davis to Alexander Mattison.

It will certainly be a bit of a learning curve for Davis, going from the FCS to the NFL. But being in a running back room with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen will help make that learning curve smoother.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, SDSU RB Isaiah Davis

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

During the past two NFL drafts, Brian Gutekunst has turned to the FCS level for offensive talent. In the 2022 draft, Green Bay’s general manager traded up in the second round to snag North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson. During last year’s draft, Gutekunst selected South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft in the third round.

Isaiah Davis is an FCS offensive player who the Packers could target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. The SDSU running back checks in at No. 50 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

A Missouri native, Davis rushed for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2020 campaign. The following season he rushed for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. 

During SDSU’s national championship season in 2022, Davis rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns. Davis helped the Jackrabbits repeat this past season when he rushed for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“He was extremely productive,” Robbie Rouse, the SDSU running backs coach, said. “The offense ran through him.”

Davis is a battering ram between the tackles. He’s a hard-nosed runner, who is tough to get to the ground. He drives through arm tackles and looks to dish out punishment on any defender who stands in his way.

Davis has a strong lower half and keeps his feet driving at contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis picked up 936 yards after contact and forced 80 missed tackles. 

“Davis is very powerful and strong,” Rouse said. “He has a willingness not to go down easily. His feet are so nifty that doesn’t allow defenders to get clean shots on him.”

Davis has a good feel for the zone and runs with good tempo. The former Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year has quick feet and scoots through the hole with burst, showcasing the necessary vision to excel at the next level. 

“His greatest strength is his feet,” Rouse said. “You typically don’t see feet like that on bigger backs. His contact balance and his vision are very elite as well.”

Over the past two seasons, Davis recorded 44 receptions for 372 yards and one touchdown. He’s a dependable target out of the backfield, with large hands. It’s part of his game that could take off at the next level. 

“This is what I was most impressed by when I first started coaching here,” Rouse said. Davis runs good routes and has very soft hands.”

Davis brings a semblance of special teams value. He has limited experience returning kicks (seven) and punts (three). 

Fit with the Packers

Davis was extremely productive over the past two seasons for the Jackrabbits and played a pivotal role in helping SDSU win back-to-back National Championships. 

The Jackrabbit running back is a well-put-together running back, who is capable of picking up the tough yards between the tackles, but also capable of ripping off chunk plays due to his hard-charging running style. This past season, Davis recorded 54 runs of 10-plus yards and 25 runs of 15-plus yards. 

“Davis checks off all the boxes,” Rouse said. “He is a great young man on and off the field. When you combine that with elite talent, you have a special player on your hands.”

With Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon on the roster, Davis wouldn’t necessarily provide a different look for defenses. Having said that, Dillon is back on a one-year deal. His presence likely won’t stop the Packers from adding a talented back like Davis. 

The Packers have six picks on Day 3 and one of those picks could be spent on the well-rounded SDSU running back. 

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 6.0: Trading Justin Jefferson for QB of the future

What would a Minnesota Vikings 7 round mock draft if they traded Justin Jefferson to the New England Patriots to get third overall? Tyler Forness explores the wild possibility.

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings trading Justin Jefferson to get the quarterback of the future at third overall?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 5.0