Braelon Allen has reportedly impressed in New York Jets training camp, with head coach Robert Saleh referring to Allen as “really smooth out of the backfield.”
Allen comes into a backfield that already features a star in Breece Hall. But Allen has the potential to make an impact for the Jets, even as a rookie.
He offers the Jets a different physical presence than Hall. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen likely isn’t going to win many foot races in the NFL. But he takes his angle well and in college, his field speed was better than projected.
Last year, Allen had 954 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries for Wisconsin. He also had 28 catches for 131 receiving yards, both numbers representing career highs for Allen.
“He’s a big boy and you guys can see that up close. He’s heavy, very smart, fluid, good out of the backfield, really good in pass protection already for a rookie. Isaiah Davis, very similar,” Saleh told reporters on Saturday.
“I feel like they’re ahead of the game with regards to the protection system. Braelon is really smooth out of the backfield with his hand, so he’s got a chance, he’s just got to keep working.”
The Jets took Allen in the fourth round of the draft this April.