{"id":1486481,"date":"2024-01-29T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T16:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dynastyleaguefootball.com\/?p=1486481"},"modified":"2024-01-29T08:10:22","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T16:10:22","slug":"2024-dynasty-rookie-early-look-braelon-allen-rb-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dynastyleaguefootball.com\/2024\/01\/29\/2024-dynasty-rookie-early-look-braelon-allen-rb-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin"},"content":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re nearly a month away from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. I\u2019ve always considered Conference Championship weekend and the end of January the official start of draft season.<\/p>\n
Shrine Bowl practices have begun, Senior Bowl players arrive this weekend, and the combine creeps closer.<\/p>\n
One of those participants is our featured prospect, who continues our rookie early look series. Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen<\/a> is one of the more intriguing draft studies in this class. Some analysts are extremely high, while others are proceeding with caution.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s dive in and take a closer look at his pre-draft profile.<\/p>\n Allen ranked as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports in the 2021 class. He was a hometown kid from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and stayed at home to play for the Badgers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you can see above, Allen was originally recruited as a linebacker and switched to running back. He was not a high recruit ranking as the number 45 linebacker in the country, but ranked number three in the state and enrolled early. Allen arrived on campus with a slight, lanky frame at 6 foot 2, 215 pounds and now leaves for the NFL at a chiseled 245 pounds,<\/p>\n Courtesy of <\/em>247 Sports<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Courtesy of <\/em>Sports Reference<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Allen burst onto the college football scene in his true freshman year in 2021, winning the running back job. He started in all 12 games for the Badgers and rushed for over 1,200 yards with double-digit touchdowns (12). Allen followed that up his sophomore season with another 1000-yard season with 1.242 yards and 11 touchdowns. He capped off 2023 with 984 yards and was able to find the end zone 12 times.<\/p>\n Allen\u2019s production at Wisconsin and his knack for touchdowns is what really stands out. Despite what may have been a down season, his talent still generated double-digit touchdowns to cap off his college career. No matter the case or debate about where Allen ranks amongst the group of running backs in this class, his talent and college production – especially in the Big Ten – will get the attention of coaches and personnel decision-makers.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Courtesy of <\/em>NFL Mock Draft Database<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been quite a bit of variance in Allen\u2019s draft positioning, specifically where and when he will be selected come April.<\/p>\n If you were to compare his overall rank using the chart above, it would fall between a late first and late third. Allen is a projected third-round pick, but I think he\u2019s more likely to come off the board around the mid to late second round, or top of the third at the latest. I think it will really all come down to two things:<\/p>\n 1) How do teams value him?<\/p>\n 2) Do we wait for the run to come on running backs or be proactive and take him because he\u2019s \u201cour guy\u201d?<\/p>\n Allen\u2019s ceiling is a long-term starter in the NFL, but he will need to land in a great situation and the right fit. The imposing size alone, along with a talented thumper being able to wear opposing defenses down, could give a coaching staff some Derrick Henry<\/a> or Marshawn Lynch<\/a> vibes.<\/p>\n The market appears to be rather high on Allen. He is currently going as the RB1 of this class and the 2.01 in superflex rookie ADP.<\/p>\n I am not sure why.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get me wrong, there is very much to like about Allen due to his size, power, and overall production. But in a way, that size and power works against him in the sense that I think he is very scheme-dependent. He doesn\u2019t have the sudden quickness and quick twitch like one of his peers in Blake Corum<\/a> nor the receiving skills as Trey Benson<\/a> – two guys who are going after Allen in the second round of rookie drafts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nRecruitment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Collegiate Career<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Strengths<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Weaknesses<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Draft Value<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Dynasty Outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n