2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Braelon Allen, a 4-star running back recruit out of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Allen elected to skip his senior year and graduate early, accounting for his youth relative to other RBs in his draft class.
Though he was younger than nearly everyone on the field, Allen broke out as a true freshman at the University of Wisconsin. Working behind transfer Chez Mellusi to start his college career, he quickly overtook him and became the featured piece of Wisconsin’s offense. He’s never let go of the starting role, earning plenty of volume to produce more than 3700 total yards and 35 touchdowns in his three seasons.
Allen’s size, speed, and, youth all stand out as outliers in an underwhelming RB class. If an NFL team sees traits they can mold, he could go earlier than expected and become an excellent NFL starter for years to come. The potential is there.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2021 | Wisconsin | Big Ten | FR | RB | 12 | 186 | 1268 | 6.8 | 12 | 8 | 39 | 4.9 | 0 | 194 | 1307 | 6.7 | 12 |
| *2022 | Wisconsin | Big Ten | SO | 12 | 230 | 1242 | 5.4 | 11 | 13 | 104 | 8.0 | 0 | 243 | 1346 | 5.5 | 11 | |
| *2023 | Wisconsin | Big Ten | JR | RB | 11 | 181 | 984 | 5.4 | 12 | 28 | 132 | 4.7 | 0 | 209 | 1116 | 5.3 | 12 |
| Career | Wisconsin | 597 | 3494 | 5.9 | 35 | 49 | 275 | 5.6 | 0 | 646 | 3769 | 5.8 | 35 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Gigantic. Will run over DBs and many linebackers.
- A plus receiver out of the backfield.
- Good vision as an inside runner.
- Good burst and quickness, especially for his size.
- Really good pad level. Almost always falls forward to gain the extra yard.
- True workhorse potential.
Weaknesses
- Size limits his shiftiness and ability to make guys miss.
- Gets in a good position as a pass protector, but is too often bullied by blitzes.
- Unimpressive route runner.
- His Physical style creates ball security issues.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: 4th Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have two picks in the 4th round, so why not fortify their questionable backfield with the largest RB in this year’s class? Free agency surely could see a back landing in Minnesota, but it’s doubtful any of them would be able to fulfill the goal-line role quite like Allen. At 245 pounds, Allen would be a monster in close for an offense that should spend plenty of time in the red zone.
Alexander Mattison will turn 26 years old before the start of the season and is in the final year of his contract. Mattison has also been underwhelming throughout his career. Ty Chandler performed well in limited work, but he’s not much more than 200 pounds. The Vikings need a banger who can also leak out of the backfield and factor into the passing game. Allen could be a cheap acquisition to provide sorely needed production where it matters most.
At this point, it’s unclear if Kirk Cousins will return to captain the Vikings ship. If he does, Allen’s stock could rise significantly by landing with the Vikings. Even if Minnesota goes another route at QB, there is still plenty of opportunity left in this backfield that seemingly has everything set and ready to roll in the passing game.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 4.134 to the New York Jets
Allen
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Braelon Allen below.
