Braelon Allen and a reminder that “not having done” does not mean “cannot do”

In the fourth round with the 134th overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Jets selected running back Braelon Allen from Wisconsin. As implied by his weight of 235 pounds, Allen was largely billed as a potential power back who could steamroll his way over defenses down the line as aided by his larger build.

What Allen was largely not billed as was a pass catcher. Within the context of his college stats this makes sense, because he caught only 49 passes over his three year college career, catching no more than 28 passes in any season.

However, it is always important to keep in mind that a player’s statistical output is in many ways a reflection of the coaches and their schemes, as well as the players around them. For example, a wide receiver may not be asked to run fly routes in college not because he cannot run them but because his coach runs a west coast scheme or because there is a more one-dimensional player on the roster who specializes in fly routes.

In an ideal world, a team’s scouting department is able to identify the players who are capable of more than they’ve shown to date. If they can do that then it creates an easy path to add surplus value on draft day, because players are in many ways drafted based on what they accomplished and put on tape during their college careers.

In regards to Braelon Allen, early returns from OTAs suggest the New York Jets scouting department may have done just that, as Allen may be a more capable pass catcher than expected, with Rich Cimini of ESPN including the below blurb within a larger information dump tweet on June 4th:

Rookie RB Braelon Allen continued to impress as a receiver. He made plays in space, even downfield on a long, contested pass. He’s a hands catcher, not a body catcher, and looks smooth. He caught only 49 passes in 3 years at Wisconsin. He’s an under-rated receiver, especially for a 235-pound back.

While OTAs are only step one in a player’s career, the idea that Allen may be more well-rounded than some thought on draft day would be a pleasant surprise. Now the Jets just have to hope for more of the same.