NFL Draft Profile: Running Back Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Strengths, weaknesses and a summary of running back Braelon Allen.

Braelon Allen

Position: Running Back

School: Wisconsin 

Play Style: Power Back

Age: 20

DOB: 1/20/2004

Height: 6'1

Weight: 235 lbs

40-Time: 4.40

FantasySP Position Ranking: 4

Round Projected: 3

NFL Comp: AJ Dillon

Summary

Allen is a massive back who is as physical as they come. The question with him is will he be able to parlay his skill set into a starting job or will he be more of a short-yardage specialist? How he develops and where he lands will determine his ultimate role in the NFL.

He does have some talent as a pass-catcher and he's a nightmare to try to stop if he only needs to fall forward to get to where he's trying to go. As our fourth-ranked running back prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, there is a gap between him and the three above him and there are a few guys behind him with more upside. However, he is a safe option because if nothing else, he will enter the league with a defined built-in role that not many other backs are able to fulfill. 

Strengths

- He's a huge running back

- Extremely strong and powerful 

- More athletic than most backs his size

- Very difficult to bring down

- Bounces off tacklers with ease

- Improved vision 

- A sure thing on short-yardage and goal-line plays

- Productive college career

- Great balance to go along with his strength

- Decisive and instinctive when hitting the hole

- Solid hands as a pass-catcher

- Impressive flexibility and bend for his size

Weaknesses

- Lacks breakaway speed

- Doesn't have great burst or acceleration 

- Not very elusive at all

- If he doesn't run through defenders he's not escaping them 

- The want-to and potential are there but not a great pass-protector

- Irresponsible with the ball at times leading to turnovers

- Limited as a pass-catcher when it comes to route running

- Could be limited to a two-down role or be pegged as a specialist on the next level

Our Take

We are higher on Allen than most. That's because it's blatantly obvious if a team needs someone with his skill set he can fill the role and be very good at it. Because of his size, athleticism, and modest draft cost, it's nearly impossible for him to be a bust unless some team expects more out of him than they should.

If you hand him the ball on third and short or near the goal line, he's going to get you those yards. There is potential for him to give you much more which is why he's ranked so high, but we know he isn't going to give you any less. 

#2024-nfl-draft #2024-nfl-draft-profile