Jets’ Braelon Allen Trolls Teams for Draft Slide: Wanted Me to ‘Run in My Underwear’

Doric SamSeptember 20, 2024

Michael Owens/Getty Images

New York Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen has gotten off to a strong start this season, prompting some fans to wonder how he fell to the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

Allen responded cheekily on social media on Friday, saying prospective teams “wanted to see me run in my underwear” during the pre-draft process:

Braelon Allen @BraelonAllenEveryone wanted to see me run in my underwear to decide if I was a good football player https://t.co/npblJ6ykjf

After spending three years at Wisconsin, Allen was given a prospect grade of 6.10 by NFL.com, which projected him to be a “good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.” His pre-draft evaluation likely took a hit because his production in his junior year dipped to 984 rushing yards after he impressed with 1,268 yards and 1,242 yards during his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. However, the Badgers installed a new offense in his junior year, which undoubtedly played a factor in his output.

Allen wasted no time proving his prognosticators wrong, as he’s been one of New York’s most impactful players over the past two weeks. The 20-year-old, who is the youngest player in the NFL, scored his first touchdown on a pass from Aaron Rodgers and rushed for the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ Week 2 win against the Tennessee Titans.

Allen was voted as the AFC Rookie of the Week, and he followed that up by recording a team-high 55 yards in Thursday night’s win against the New England Patriots. He’s impressed with his ability to run through contact and punish defenders whenever he touches the ball.

New York Jets @nyjetswoah there, @BraelonAllen! @KyleBrandt… angry run???#NEvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/tuycKURDVN

The Jets appear to have found a gem with Allen falling to the fourth round of the draft. He’s combined with third-year star Breece Hall to create one of the most promising backfield duos in the NFL.

New York (2-1) will be seeking its third straight win when it hosts the Denver Broncos in Week 4, and it can be expected that Allen will continue to have a major role on offense going forward.