The New York Jets are 5-2, playing their best football in a decade. However Sunday’s 16-9 win over the Broncos in Denver came at a heavy price. Rookie running back Breece Hall, a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (Iowa St.) and the early-season favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, did suffer a season-ending ACL tear. 

Hall had a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter Sunday. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he reached a top speed of 21.87 mph on that run, fastest of any ball carrier this season.

Hall will be missed. He brings a spark to the offense. Masking a lot of the shortcomings of second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. The team will also miss his electricity and attitude. Even in the wake of ending his season in the worst way, Hall was celebrating the victory, tweeting “Resilient. Through all the trials and tribulations. JETS WIN!!!!!”

Now, without Hall, expect Michael Carter to see an  increased role in offense,

Now, the frontrunners in Offensive Rookie of the Year wagering are Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, Houston running back Dameon Pierce, Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III and New Orleans wide receiver Chris Olave. 

2023 Free-Agent Stock Report 

Daniel Jones-New York Giants 

At 6-1, the Giants are one of the surprise teams of this NFL season, and Daniel Jones has been one of the surprise quarterbacks. He has led the Giants to rally in five wins, the final year he’s under contract. The team declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent this off-season.

The Giants pay him $8.3 million this season, and the contract keepers at OverTheCap.com calculate his value at $28.6 million. He will only be 26 when next season begins. 

Geno Smith-Seattle Seahawks 

The Seahawks signed Geno Smith to a $3.5 million one-year contract to be a placeholder, until they found their real quarterback of the future. However, Smith has been a revelation this season, helping the ‘Hawks, in their first post-Russell Wilson year, to sit in first place as of now.

Smith is easily the best value in the NFL right now, especially when calculated of a perceived worth of $37.8 million. This is a guy whose actual contract ranks 38th among NFL quarterbacks. 

Jimmy Garoppolo-San Francisco 49ers 

The 49ers were able to restructure Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract to keep him around this season. When Trey Lance was injured early, it was the perfect opportunity to have Garoppolo prove his worth to his next suitor. He hasn’t been all bad this season, but Garoppolo is showing everyone why the 49ers wanted to excise him. 

Against the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday, there was a back-breaking, end-zone interception, and this offseason, he is destined to remain an understudy quarterback.

Garoppolo’s troubles aside, his team is +125 favorite to take the NFC West, as per NFL odds. 

Running Backs on the Rise 

If you are looking to add a running back in free agency this offseason, see any number of players having great 2022s. Atop this list is the Giants’ Saquon Barkley, who’s second in the NFL in rush yards. Barkley is currently playing out his fifth-year option.

Drafted a year after Barkley was Josh Jacobs. Vegas declined his fifth-year option,  something the Raiders probably are regretting now. He’s currently third in the NFL in rushing, coming off a three-touchdown performance against the Texans last Sunday.

The Eagles’ Miles Sanders is currently seventh in the league in rushing. He is the rush leader of the best ground attack in the NFL, the last undefeated team in the league. 

Priced at +550, Philly is the solid NFC choice to win the title, according to Super Bowl odds.

Spotrac.com projects Sanders to have a contract market value this offseason of four years/$25.5 million. 

Receivers Dropping (and Not Just Passes) 

DJ Chark signed a $10 million contract with the Lions this past off-season. He’s now on injured reserve after three very unimpressive games. He has seven catches (18 targets), just 98 yards. He’s only 26, but next year’s paycheck is likely to be a paycut.

Nelson Agholor is the third highest-paid member of the Patriots, but Jakobi Meyers has become the top wide receiver on the team. Agholor’s fallen behind even DeVante Parker. 

- Tony Caliente, Gambling911.com