Braelon Allen NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’2″ (u)
Weight: 238 (u)
School: Wisconsin
Braelon Allen 2024 NFL Draft Profile, Team Fits
Some players take their time becoming a household name in college football. Braelon Allen isn’t some players. As a 17-year-old true freshman, he put up 1300 yards from scrimmage and 12 rushing touchdowns. He burst onto the scene after graduating from high school a year early. Wisconsin originally recruited him as a linebacker or a safety, but it’s safe to say they’re content with him at running back. Funny enough, for Allen’s entire first game, he played special teams only. The team started 1-3 and running back turmoil had Allen start taking snaps at running back. They finally decided to play him at running back full time in the fifth game, then he strung together seven 100-yard games in a row. Probably the right move in hindsight. He was the MVP for the team’s bowl game as a freshman and was named Second Team All-Big Ten.
His sophomore season saw some drops in efficiency, but the production remained about the same due to an increased workload. Allen went from almost seven yards per carry as a freshman to 5.4 yards per carry as a sophomore (still really solid). The team took a small step backwards, but it was clear to the nation that Allen was the focal point of the offense. He had more yards than any other two skill position players on the team combined. Another year, another All-Big Ten selection. If Blake Corum didn’t exist, he would have been first team.
All things considered; Allen had a disappointing 2023. Was he still All-Big Ten? Yes. Did he up his usage in the receiving game to a career high? Also, yes. But for a player with as much hype and early production as Allen had, he didn’t set his draft stock up for success. He had a career low in scrimmage yards (still hit 1116) and his efficiency stagnated at 5.4 yards per carry. It was his first season to not hit 1000 rushing yards, and he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after the season.
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Strengths
- A freight train when he wants to be
- Quick feet in the hole for a player of his size
- Hands catcher despite not being asked to do much in the receiving game
- Nightmare for smaller players to tackle
- Effective burst in the short yardage game
- Extremely young for a prospect, still developing and can be molded
- Nose for the endzone inside the five
Weaknesses
- Lacks long speed to turn 20 yard gains into house calls
- Forgets that he’s 240 pounds at times
- Tries to bounce outside too often
- More likely to bump than to engage in pass protection
- Misses open holes more often than people would like
NFL Comparison: Timid Brandon Jacobs
Projected Draft Capital: Top 100 pick
Team Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom Line on Braelon Allen
For teams looking for a dynamic, shifty pass catching monster, Allen isn’t it. For teams looking for a between the 20s grinder that oozes potential, Allen should be at the top of the board. He has more scrimmage yards coming out of college than All-American Cody Schrader who’s four years older. He has similarities to Derrick Henry where if he gets a full head of steam corners seem to shy away from him. On the flip side, he has moments where he looks like A.J. Dillon running like he’s 80 pounds lighter. When the light comes on for Allen, he will be a dominant force in the league. If it never does, he’s still a reliable grinder for a roster.
Braelon Allen Dynasty Outlook
For the dynasty fantasy football fans out there, Allen is easily worth a swing in the late first or early second round of your rookie drafts. Worst case scenario, he’s a handcuff with flex appeal for the next seven years. Best case scenario, that light comes on and he’s a monster with touchdowns raining from the heavens. If he gets second round draft capital, he’ll be a popular name in the 1.09 slot. If he falls to the third or day three, he could find himself a second-round rookie pick, and I will be scooping him up everywhere I can.
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