Wisconsin Badgers RB Cracks The Athletic’s Top 100 NFL Draft Prospects

Anticipation is starting to build for the 2024 NFL Draft, with the combine in Indy just around the corner. While the Wisconsin Badgers football program might not have a laundry list of players hearing their names called this spring, Dane Brugler of The Athletic dropped his first Top 100 Big Board, and there is a familiar face worth keeping tabs on. 

Among the array of talent highlighted in this year’s draft class, one name stands out: Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen. 

Brugler’s rankings position Allen, the youngest player in this year’s draft class, as the third-ranked running back, trailing behind Jonathon Brooks (Texas) and Blake Corum (Michigan). 

Here’s a look at what Brugler had to say about the Wisconsin Badgers junior running back: 

“A balanced, one-cut athlete, Allen shows a great feel for lane development, especially on inside/outside zone, and he can run with either finesse or physicality (69.5 percent of his yardage in 2023 came after contact).

“He needs to prove his reliability (ball security, durability), but he plays through pain, and NFL teams will love that he is the youngest player in this draft class. His 20 career 100-yard rushing performances were the most posted by any FBS back active last season.”

Wisconsin Badgers RB Braelon Allen Projected as a Day 3 Pick

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen is an intriguing NFL Draft prospect due to his age (20 years old), production, and physical tools.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound tailback produced three consecutive second-team All-Big Ten honors during his career at Wisconsin. He also left the Badgers No. 9 on the program’s all-time rushing list, finishing with 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns on 594 carries.

He was recently compared to Packers running back AJ Dillon by Markus Mosher of the 33rd team. This comp feels right when you consider their strengths and ability to thrive when playing alongside a running back with a complementary skill set.

Allen has made it clear his goal is to become a day-two draft pick, and it’s possible, with an impressive showing at the NFL combine, that dream could potentially become a reality if a team winds up falling in love with the Fond du Lac natives measurables and upside.

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