Jets confident about youngest running back room in the NFL

[Bronx]

I approve this message, 

Jets confident about youngest running back room in the NFL - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- At the first team meeting of OTAs, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen waited with his fellow rookies for the veterans to find their seats in the auditorium -- one of those unwritten rules that newbies must abide by.

Once the vets settled in, Allen located Aaron Rodgers, walked to his seat and introduced himself. The 40-year-old quarterback knew Allen's backstory, how he started for Wisconsin at the age of 17 and now was the youngest player in the NFL.

"He was definitely a little tripped out about [my age] when I first met him," said Allen, now 20. "He was like, '[You're] the first guy I ever played with that could literally be my kid.'"

It's not just Allen; youth is spread across the entire backfield.

The franchise that produced the oldest NFL rushing champion in history -- Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, 31, in 2004 -- now has the youngest running back room in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information (based on rosters as of Aug. 9).

The average age? 22.8 years.

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Call them Generation Z4, with Breece Hall (23), Allen, Isaiah Davis (22) and Israel Abanikanda (21) -- the top four backs on the depth chart. Also on the roster are Deon Jackson (25) and Xazavian Valladay (26). Only three, maybe four, will make the opening-day roster.

When Rodgers hands off the ball this season, it will be to someone not old enough to remember Rodgers' rookie season ... way, way back in 2005. Heck, Allen was only three months old when Rodgers was drafted.

Hall, by far the Jets' most accomplished player at the position, finds it strange every time running backs coach Tony Dews refers to him as the one "everybody looks up to." Hall doesn't see himself as the dean of the running backs.

"Everyone in the running back room is pretty much around my age," Hall said. "So it's like the funniest thing."

This represents a shift in philosophy for the Jets, who spent big money last summer on Dalvin Cook, who was 28 when he signed a one-year, $7 million contract in the preseason. Maybe they learned a lesson about past-their-prime runners, as Cook was held to 3.2 yards per rush on 67 attempts. They cut him before the season was over.

This spring, the Jets drafted Allen in the fourth round, then doubled down by taking Davis in the fifth out of South Dakota State. Both have impressed in training camp, especially Allen, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser who could be the ideal complement to the speedy Hall.

"Coach Dews kind of coaches him a little different than he coaches us because he's more of that Derrick Henry-style of running back," said Hall, who ran for 994 yards last season and added 591 as a receiver.

In Saturday's preseason opener, Allen probably solidified the RB2 job, rushing for 54 yards on six carries against the Washington Commanders. Coach Robert Saleh called him "a very heavy runner," adding, "When he got to the second level, it's painful to just touch the human."

 

The running backs room, which features Breece Hall (23) and Braelon Allen (20), has an average of 22.8 years. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

There's no doubt that Hall is the No. 1 back, capable of making an impact on all three downs, but the Jets will look to spell him. Right now, Allen is the top backup. Hall joked that they're calling themselves the "Killer Bs."

After graduating early from high school, Allen rushed for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in his three-year career at Wisconsin. Initially, he was recruited as a linebacker. They also talked about making him a safety. He wound up on offense, making an impression on Rodgers, who caught the Badgers on TV and noticed this 17-year-old tailback bulldozing Big Ten defenses.

Allen grew up Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, not far from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. As he said of Rodgers, "I grew up less than an hour away from where his name will live on forever."

Funny thing is, Allen's parents are Chicago Bears fans.

"So the household was pretty bitter on Sundays twice a year," he said, laughing.

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The Jets made Allen (20 years, 98 days) the third-youngest player drafted into the NFL since 2000, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only younger players were defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (19 years, 322 days) in 2007 and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (19 years, 359 days) in 2018.

Allen knows his role in the backfield.

"I'm kind of the outlier in the way of size, so I know what I'm here to do -- and that's to play smashmouth football," Allen said.

Davis (6-1, 220) is closer in style to Hall than Allen. He's not as fast as Hall, but he's an instinctive runner with enough speed to get to the edge. He dominated on the FCS level, rushing for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns over four seasons.

He was the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Missouri, but he was a no-star recruit with only one Division I offer -- South Dakota State. Actually, it was only a 65% scholarship until late in his freshman year, when the school bumped it up to a full ride.

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Davis considers it a blessing to be in the NFL, competing for playing time as a rookie. His ability to return kickoffs and punts could be his ticket to a prominent role. His highlight in the preseason opener was a 24-yard reception.

"It's a competitive group, a lot of guys who are hungry," Davis said.

Leaguewide, the value of running backs has declined in recent years, but general manager Joe Douglas has picked at least one in each of his five drafts. Four remain on the roster -- Hall, Allen, Davis and Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from Pitt in 2023. Abanikanda scored on a 2-yard run against the Commanders.

It's still early, but the Jets appear to have good depth at a young man's position.

"It's come a long way since the first year we were here," said Saleh, who was hired in 2021. "We feel like we've got some legitimate runners all across the board."

 

[DJF71]

Its a young man's game.

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

Get ready for Ground and Pound 2.0. 
 

[jgb]

2 minutes ago, SomebodytoAnybody47 said:

Get ready for Ground and Pound 2.0. 
 

I don't hate it. Zigging when others Zag is a core component of exploiting value gaps.

[BradSmith16fan]

To be fair, it still might be a bit of zag due to Breeces ability to catch and run. Look at Rodgers with Aaron Jones.

[The Crusher]

1 hour ago, Bronx said:

I approve this message, 

Jets confident about youngest running back room in the NFL - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- At the first team meeting of OTAs, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen waited with his fellow rookies for the veterans to find their seats in the auditorium -- one of those unwritten rules that newbies must abide by.

Once the vets settled in, Allen located Aaron Rodgers, walked to his seat and introduced himself. The 40-year-old quarterback knew Allen's backstory, how he started for Wisconsin at the age of 17 and now was the youngest player in the NFL.

"He was definitely a little tripped out about [my age] when I first met him," said Allen, now 20. "He was like, '[You're] the first guy I ever played with that could literally be my kid.'"

It's not just Allen; youth is spread across the entire backfield.

The franchise that produced the oldest NFL rushing champion in history -- Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, 31, in 2004 -- now has the youngest running back room in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information (based on rosters as of Aug. 9).

The average age? 22.8 years.

Best of NFL Nation

• Packers Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt ready to take next step
• Jets confident about youngest running back room in the NFL
• Seahawks' Riq Woolen entering Year 3 with more to prove
• Jimmy Graham's quest to row the Arctic Ocean
• Giants' O-line expectations high after dozen years of reconstruction

Call them Generation Z4, with Breece Hall (23), Allen, Isaiah Davis (22) and Israel Abanikanda (21) -- the top four backs on the depth chart. Also on the roster are Deon Jackson (25) and Xazavian Valladay (26). Only three, maybe four, will make the opening-day roster.

When Rodgers hands off the ball this season, it will be to someone not old enough to remember Rodgers' rookie season ... way, way back in 2005. Heck, Allen was only three months old when Rodgers was drafted.

Hall, by far the Jets' most accomplished player at the position, finds it strange every time running backs coach Tony Dews refers to him as the one "everybody looks up to." Hall doesn't see himself as the dean of the running backs.

"Everyone in the running back room is pretty much around my age," Hall said. "So it's like the funniest thing."

This represents a shift in philosophy for the Jets, who spent big money last summer on Dalvin Cook, who was 28 when he signed a one-year, $7 million contract in the preseason. Maybe they learned a lesson about past-their-prime runners, as Cook was held to 3.2 yards per rush on 67 attempts. They cut him before the season was over.

This spring, the Jets drafted Allen in the fourth round, then doubled down by taking Davis in the fifth out of South Dakota State. Both have impressed in training camp, especially Allen, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser who could be the ideal complement to the speedy Hall.

"Coach Dews kind of coaches him a little different than he coaches us because he's more of that Derrick Henry-style of running back," said Hall, who ran for 994 yards last season and added 591 as a receiver.

In Saturday's preseason opener, Allen probably solidified the RB2 job, rushing for 54 yards on six carries against the Washington Commanders. Coach Robert Saleh called him "a very heavy runner," adding, "When he got to the second level, it's painful to just touch the human."

 

The running backs room, which features Breece Hall (23) and Braelon Allen (20), has an average of 22.8 years. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

There's no doubt that Hall is the No. 1 back, capable of making an impact on all three downs, but the Jets will look to spell him. Right now, Allen is the top backup. Hall joked that they're calling themselves the "Killer Bs."

After graduating early from high school, Allen rushed for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in his three-year career at Wisconsin. Initially, he was recruited as a linebacker. They also talked about making him a safety. He wound up on offense, making an impression on Rodgers, who caught the Badgers on TV and noticed this 17-year-old tailback bulldozing Big Ten defenses.

Allen grew up Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, not far from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. As he said of Rodgers, "I grew up less than an hour away from where his name will live on forever."

Funny thing is, Allen's parents are Chicago Bears fans.

"So the household was pretty bitter on Sundays twice a year," he said, laughing.

Play the No. 1 fantasy game

We're back with another year of ESPN Fantasy Football and it's time to get started. Create a league with friends and family and draft before the start of the season! Sign Up Now >>

 

The Jets made Allen (20 years, 98 days) the third-youngest player drafted into the NFL since 2000, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only younger players were defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (19 years, 322 days) in 2007 and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (19 years, 359 days) in 2018.

Allen knows his role in the backfield.

"I'm kind of the outlier in the way of size, so I know what I'm here to do -- and that's to play smashmouth football," Allen said.

Davis (6-1, 220) is closer in style to Hall than Allen. He's not as fast as Hall, but he's an instinctive runner with enough speed to get to the edge. He dominated on the FCS level, rushing for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns over four seasons.

He was the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Missouri, but he was a no-star recruit with only one Division I offer -- South Dakota State. Actually, it was only a 65% scholarship until late in his freshman year, when the school bumped it up to a full ride.

Top stories of the week from 

Get exclusive access to thousands of premium articles a year from top writers.
• NFL teams that could change QBs in '25? »
• 7 players who could help NBA teams »
• O'Hanlon: Arensel to win PL because... »
More ESPN+ content »

 

Davis considers it a blessing to be in the NFL, competing for playing time as a rookie. His ability to return kickoffs and punts could be his ticket to a prominent role. His highlight in the preseason opener was a 24-yard reception.

"It's a competitive group, a lot of guys who are hungry," Davis said.

Leaguewide, the value of running backs has declined in recent years, but general manager Joe Douglas has picked at least one in each of his five drafts. Four remain on the roster -- Hall, Allen, Davis and Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from Pitt in 2023. Abanikanda scored on a 2-yard run against the Commanders.

It's still early, but the Jets appear to have good depth at a young man's position.

"It's come a long way since the first year we were here," said Saleh, who was hired in 2021. "We feel like we've got some legitimate runners all across the board."

 

Aaron Rodgers should adopt Braelon. He’s the age you reach out to your kids for help. Be like nobody messes with my Pop, 

[Bronx]

45 minutes ago, The Crusher said:

Aaron Rodgers should adopt Braelon. He’s the age you reach out to your kids for help. Be like nobody messes with my Pop, 

He has beautiful thighs. 

[32EBoozer]

19 hours ago, Bronx said:

It's come a long way since the first year we were here," said Saleh, who was hired in 2021. "We feel like we've got some legitimate runners all across the board."

My take:

Defensive Coordinator has the difficult task of deciding whom to game plan for. Stop AR/GW connection or Breece and the running game.

I think it has to be Breece and hope you keep Jets in 3rd and long. But this is where Aaron’s football IQ is so valuable as he audibles into an easy 5-10 yard quick hit to TE or WR

[Matt39]

Allen was a good pick. 

[slimjasi]

Running back room is loaded 

[32EBoozer]

1 minute ago, Matt39 said:

Allen was a good pick. 

Sneaky good. No GM would have thought JD would grab RB in 4th round when you have Breece. Then to double down with Davis in the 5th? Offense, Offense, Offense, Offense, Offense 1st 5 picks. 

[MR.GANGGREEN28]

RB might be the only position where you’d want to be the youngest in the league

[slimjasi]

1 hour ago, Matt39 said:

Allen was a good pick. 

Proud to say I first guessed this one 

He was my favorite running back in the draft and I was surprised he was there in round 5

edit - round 4!

[jetstream23]

This backfield could easily be ALL of these three things:

• One of the best in the NFL
• One of the youngest in the NFL
• One of the cheapest in the NFL (all on rookie contracts, NONE are 1st round deals)

[Matt39]

18 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

Proud to say I first guessed this one 

He was my favorite running back in the draft and I was surprised he was there in round 5

I think he went in the 3rd (haven’t looked it up).

[slimjasi]

25 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

I think he went in the 3rd (haven’t looked it up).

4th - day 3 pick! 

[Darnold's Forehead]

21 hours ago, SomebodytoAnybody47 said:

Get ready for Ground and Pound 2.0. 
 

Please.  I'd be fine with Rodgers not putting up MVP numbers if it meant we were running over the league.

[Jet Nut]

21 hours ago, DJF71 said:

Its a young man's game.

Especially for RBs 

[Jet Nut]

21 hours ago, SomebodytoAnybody47 said:

Get ready for Ground and Pound 2.0. 
 

Doubt it.

Balanced, yes.  
G&P, not until the 4th Q

[Bronx]

1 hour ago, 32EBoozer said:

Sneaky good. No GM would have thought JD would grab RB in 4th round when you have Breece. Then to double down with Davis in the 5th? Offense, Offense, Offense, Offense, Offense 1st 5 picks. 

Maybe he realized that (once again), he over-drafted (Izzy),  

[32EBoozer]

1 hour ago, Bronx said:

Maybe he realized that (once again), he over-drafted (Izzy),  

I don’t think Izzy was over drafted in the 5th round. He had a very good career at Pitt.

Pass Pro and ball security are often an issue at this level

[rangerous]

I think the jets will be able to field a well balanced offense.  They should be able to run the ball effectively and also pass.  I certainly can’t imagine they’ll have injuries pile up like last season. And even if they do, they seem to have reasonably good depth all around.  Should be a fun season.