Jets rookie is lighting up the NFL and it’s added a whole new dimension that is helping them win
I have made a lot out of Jets’ GM Joe Douglas’ propensity to draft running backs year after year. In a passing league, without the benefit of having an obvious number two receiver, or future quarterback, or even a depth piece along the defensive line, Joe Douglas has selected a running back in every draft […]
I have made a lot out of Jets’ GM Joe Douglas’ propensity to draft running backs year after year. In a passing league, without the benefit of having an obvious number two receiver, or future quarterback, or even a depth piece along the defensive line, Joe Douglas has selected a running back in every draft he has run for the New York Jets. And frankly, most of them have been busts.
The Jets took La’Mical Perine in 2020 (120th overall) Michael Carter in 2021(107th overall), Breece Hall in 2022 (36th overall), Izzy Abanikanda in 2023 (143rd overall) and in 2024 he took not one, but two running backs.
But this time might be different. So far this season Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen looks like a true weapon to go alongside Breece Hall. Allen has 19 carried on the young season for 96 yards. That is over five yards per carry. He also caught six passes for 45 yards. He has a touchdown running and receiving.
And that five yards per rush is even including runs where he should have lost yards but simply refused to go down in the backfield like he did in Thursday’s win over the New England Patriots.
Allen plays like he has a chip on his shoulder and rightfully so. He was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round despite being one of the most talented backs in the draft.
The question for the Jets now becomes, how do they use Allen? Breece is the unquestioned RB1 on this team and rightfully so. But any offensive coordinator who is worth a damn knows that when you have talent, you use it no matter what position is listed next to his name. Belichick and co. knew it when they found themselves with multiple tight ends who create matchup problems. The Jets need to get creative and get both of guys on the field at the same time.
Breece reminds me of Alvin Kamara in how he runs. He’s so smooth and balanced and almost seems to glide around the field. Braelon is what they told us Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers was but hasn’t seemed to be able to show on the field. I won’t go as far as to call Allen Derrick Henry (that’s simply not fair to Henry and Allen), but he is in that mold. He is a big back who likes to dish punishment rather than receive it. He is strong and tough to bring down but if you get too cute, he will run right past you.
Allen turns heads every time he touches the ball. He did it in training camp, he did it in the preseason and he is doing it so far in the regular season. It would be a shame to only use him to get seven touches a game when Breece needs a breather.
The Jets did have two plays on Thursday when they had both Breece and Allen on the field at the same time and they were successful. The Jets need to do more of that.
Offense is about finding ways to get your best players the ball in the best situations. Braelon Allen has proven so far that he is one of the best players on the Jets offense and it is now up to the coaching staff to find ways to use him and Breece to keep defensive coordinators worried.
