With new head coach Aaron Glenn, the New York Jets are loud-and-proud about focusing on the run game in 2025. Glenn's hard-nosed style paired with scrambler Justin Fields has made it clear that New York will try to dominate the ground game.
While Breece Hall will once again be the lead back, Glenn has talked a lot about moving to a backfield-by-committee approach, similar to how his former Detroit Lions operated with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
That likely means 240-pound bulldozer Braelon Allen is set to take a step up in production in 2025.
Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker assembled his 2025 "All-Breakout Team," picking one player per position primed for a breakout. Allen was his selection for the running back poised to breakout.
"Bucky Irving set the world ablaze in his rookie season, but Allen quietly put together a strong first campaign of his own." Locker wrote. "The former Wisconsin star generated an 82.0 PFF rushing grade and a 73.6 overall PFF grade in 2024."
Hall is coming off a down year, tallying 876 yards and a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. If Hall can't return to form, Allen could be set up to become an every-down back.
"Allen remains the backup to Breece Hall in New York, but Hall’s production declined in a big way last year with only a 68.7 PFF rushing grade." Locker noted. "If Allen can improve his pass-catching abilities (50.3 PFF receiving grade) and blocking prowess (52.7 PFF pass-blocking grade), he could emerge as more of an every-down back …."
In his rookie campaign, Allen took 92 carries for 334 yards and two touchdowns. While his 3.6 yards per carry don't impress, Allen really shined in short-gain situations. When New York needed a first down in short yardage, it was Allen's ball. Allen's 51.1 percent rushing success rate far exceeded Hall's 46.4 percent mark.
Allen picked up 22 first downs on the ground on his 92 carries. Hall, meanwhile, tallied 40 first downs on his 209 carries.