NY Jets 2022 NFL Draft Profile: BYU RB Tyler Allgeier

Much of the offseason hype for the NY Jets has focused on how the team would go about upgrading their many positions of need both in free agency and in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The continued pursuit of an elite receiver appears to be tops on their priority list followed closely behind by both an edge rusher and help in the secondary.

Possibly the least discussed position for the green and white has been running back. However, with the recent signings of both Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah at tight end, the Jets have indicated their commitment to establishing the running game next season.

During the early part of the 2021 season, the Jets attempted to run the ball in a 12 personnel based offense. This means having one running back and two tight ends on the field at the same time. For the most part, the team was unsuccessful because they lacked sufficient talent at these positions.

The Jets now have two tight ends who are both proficient at blocking and catching the football, but they could still use more depth at the running back position. Michael Carter showed great promise as a rookie but did miss significant time with an array of injuries.

In addition, Tevin Coleman will be returning, but the best-case scenario going forward for him and the Jets would be as the number three running back on the roster.

Ty Johnson, Austin Walter, and La'Mical Perine are all still currently on the team but do not project to be any more than back of the roster fill-ins. What the Jets really need is a prototypical power back to complement the skill set of Michael Carter who is shifty and allusive.

Tyler Allgeier from BYU appears to be the exact kind of player that the Jets are looking for. He is big, tough, and known for his ability to gain significant yardage after contact.

It also helps that he was a teammate of Zach Wilson for three seasons with the Cougars. In 2020, Allgeier rushed for 1,130 yards and scored 13 touchdowns while Wilson was the quarterback.

In 2021, Allgeier took his game to an even higher level by rushing for 1,601 yards breaking BYU's single-season rushing record. He also added 23 touchdowns as well. The former walk-on and converted linebacker has only gotten better with each year that he played at BYU.

Tyler Allgeier's Strengths

Allgeier is not only known for his physical style of running but has also proven to be durable and reliable. In spite of his punishing style of play, he has managed to stay relatively healthy and injury-free.

Allgeier is the type of running back that can wear down a defense and he has shown the ability to get stronger as the game goes on. Allgeier absorbs contact well and can gain tough yardage after the initial hit.

The former BYU Cougar is listed at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds but has deceptive speed for his size. Despite being classified as a downhill runner, he has above-average field vision and shows patience in waiting for holes to open up for him when needed.

Allgeier is coming off of back-to-back 1,000+ yard rushing seasons and appears to only be getting better as he continues to gain experience.

He was selected as a Sporting News second-team All-American in 2021 and was also the MVP in the 2021 Independence Bowl. In that game, he rushed for 192 yards and scored three touchdowns.

BYU has always played well against tough competition which will only help Allgeier as he adjusts to life at the NFL level. Perhaps his greatest collegiate game was against the University of Virginia where he rushed for 266 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Tyler Allgeier's Weaknesses

As well as Allgeier has performed, there are still many elements to his game that will need to be improved upon if he is going to succeed in the NFL. He continues to get better but is far from a finished product.

Allgeier will need to improve in pass protection and will also need to do a much better job of picking up on the blitz. If he is to become a multi-purpose, every-down running back he will have to get better in these areas. Otherwise, he will be primarily used in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

As a receiving threat out of the backfield, he is adequate but could use some refinement in that area as well. Allgeier caught 28 passes for 199 yards in 2021 and for his career at BYU he hauled in 46 receptions for 437 yards.

Allgeier is strictly a north to south, one-cut runner, and when he stops his feet he tends to be a bit slow going back to acceleration. However, teamed with the versatile and speedy Michael Carter he can be utilized and coached to play within his strengths.

NY Jets Prediction

Not since the days of Chris Ivory have the Jets had a big-bodied, power-back willing to run people over. Allgeier has the potential to be that kind of running back and is very similar in size and skill set to Ivory.

Despite gaining over 5,000 rushing yards in High School, Allgeier was not highly recruited at the major collegiate level and had to fight his way onto the roster at BYU. That experience should go a long way in helping Allgeier battle through the challenges that await him in the NFL.

Tyler Allgeier could be a great fit for the Jets' zone running scheme. He has good balance, absorbs contact well, and with proper coaching could fit in nicely between both Carter and Coleman in a running back by committee offense.

Two former BYU running backs Jamaal Williams and Ty'Son Williams are currently playing in the NFL. There's no reason not to believe that Allgeier will be joining that group in the very near future.

He would make a very solid fourth-round draft selection and if the Jets are really intent on selecting him they could also trade away an extra fourth or fifth-round draft pick to move up and snag him late in the third round as well.