Braelon Allen is a must-draft handcuff for Breece Hall fantasy owners
By Justin Fried
NY Jets running back Breece Hall is one of the most valuable commodities in fantasy football entering the 2024 season. The former second-round pick is widely seen as a consensus top-three running back in all fantasy formats, especially in dynasty leagues.
Hall is set to play a crucial role in a Jets' offense that should be much-improved with Aaron Rodgers back under center. If you have Hall on your fantasy roster, you're already in an excellent position, but it never hurts to have an insurance policy.
That's why drafting Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen should be a top priority for Hall fantasy owners across all formats. Allen has already established himself as one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy this year.
The rookie fourth-round pick is the clear-cut RB2 behind Hall and was one of the Jets' most impressive standouts of the summer. Allen is going to have a role in the offense even with a healthy Hall, but if the latter were to miss any time, his value would skyrocket.
Breece Hall fantasy owners must prioritize drafting NY Jets' rookie Braelon Allen
Despite being the youngest player in the entire NFL, Allen proved this summer that he's more than ready to handle a sizable role in the Jets' offense. He didn't just impress with his splash plays — it was all the little things.
Allen impressed as both a pass blocker and pass catcher, proving that he can handle a third-down role. The Jets could also use Allen — who stands at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds — as a goal-line/short-yardage back.
Hall only received one carry within the opponent's five-yard line throughout the entire 2023 season. Part of that was due to the Jets' ineptitude, but part of it was also a schematic choice. The Jets don't like to use Hall in short-yardage situations.
Allen provides immediate value to any fantasy team as a pass-catcher and possible touchdown vulture, but his real value comes if Hall is forced to miss any time. That's a definite possibility too, given that Hall missed most of his rookie season due to a torn ACL.
If Hall were to be sidelined for any period of time in 2024, Allen would immediately step in as the Jets' top running back. His only competition is fellow Day 3 rookie Isaiah Davis and second-year back Israel Abanikanda, who is firmly on the roster bubble.
Allen might not be a true bell-cow if forced into a starting role, but he would unquestionably be the Jets' lead back. And given how the other running backs in the room have performed this summer, it's safe to say that Allen would have a sizable lead over his teammates.
Allen is a possible league-winner who will be available in the late stages of your fantasy drafts. Believe the hype with Braelon Allen. The reports coming out of Jets training camp are true — he's the real deal.
If you draft Breece Hall in your fantasy leagues this year, make sure you also add his backup.