Jets' Braelon Allen couldn't ask for a better Week 1 breakout opportunity

As fun as the journey itself might be, we need not discount what could happen when New York Jets running back Braelon Allen reaches his destination.

The 22-year-old Allen’s stock has skyrocketed all summer, as he’s completely left last season’s knee injury in the past. He regularly turned heads throughout offseason workouts and training camp before firmly placing himself on the map with a 31-yard rushing touchdown against the Buccaneers last month.

Not that there was really any doubt about Allen, a 2024 fourth-round pick, cracking the Week 1 roster. Jets coach Aaron Glenn has publicly raved about him for months, and teammates love the Wisconsin product and how hard he’s worked to remain in the team’s plans.

And while Allen likely won’t be the bell-cow back against Robert Saleh and the Titans, you should nonetheless plan to see him as an important piece of the Week 1 game plan.

Running back Braelon Allen could break out for the New York Jets in Week 1

Allen took advantage of every opportunity presented in recent months, most notably Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis’ respective groin and foot injuries. Both hurt themselves during August practices, though they avoided landing on injured reserve. 

Hall and Davis fully participated in Wednesday’s practice, and all signs point to both being active on Sunday afternoon. The Jets also recently hosted former Browns running back Jerome Ford for a workout, though he remained unsigned as of Friday morning.

Regardless of how much Hall or Davis plays against the Titans, that shouldn’t stop Glenn and Frank Reich from working Allen into the rotation. He’s earned the right to receive more touches, and Glenn previously said he’d hoped to use Allen as a receiving back.

We understand the abject naiveté in suggesting someone play more because he had a strong preseason. Real life is never as simple as the undrafted rookie receiver with a 99 speed rating whom you add to your “Madden” franchise. But the Jets know Allen, and Glenn even acknowledged that last year’s injury impacted the team’s offensive plans.

“We all saw his ability to actually press the hole, right?” Glenn said last month. “Put his foot in the ground and get vertical and then run away from people. The speed that he’s always had, that’s really showed up.”

That sure sounds to us like Glenn and Reich want to see what Allen can do once the lights come on.

If Hall or Davis does not play against the Titans, the Jets could turn to special teams standout Kene Nwangwu for additional carries. They also have a practice squad option in undrafted rookie Al-Jay Henderson.

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