The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt believes rookie Braelon Allen is the “clear frontrunner” to be the Jets’ No. 2 running back.
Breece Hall has been working off to the side while dealing with a minor lower-body injury, giving all of the backups some extra reps with the starters. Rosenblatt, like many reporters, noted Allen’s early success as a pass-catcher in OTAs. Allen has been active as a short-area target in the offseason program and even caught a long ball from Tyrod Taylor earlier this week. Allen could also see work on passing downs because of his ability to pass-protect. Rosenblatt also mentioned that second-year running back Israel Abanikanda “seems to have fallen down the depth chart.” For early best ball drafters, Allen is shaping up to be a great bet as an insurance option for Hall in the final rounds of drafts.