Who Should I Start? Braelon Allen or Chris Collier

Tuesday, June 3, 12:22 PM

SI.com's Albert Breer thinks that New York Jets running back Braelon Allen could have a significant role in the team's offense this year alongside Breece Hall. In his first year in the NFL in 2024, Allen had 92 carries for 334 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, adding 19 receptions on 27 targets for 148 yards and another score in 17 games (two starts). The 21-year-old is one of the slower RBs in the league and mainly excels in short-yardage/goal-line situations, but he's also an excellent pass protector and is a polished pass-catcher out of the backfield. Allen lost steam as his rookie season wore on and even lost reps to fifth-rounder Isaiah Davis, but with new head coach Aaron Glenn wanting to establish a run-heavy approach in his first season at the helm, it's possible Allen could see more usage alongside Hall in 2025. At best, though, he's probably a handcuff again for those that select Hall.

Saturday, August 24, 10:16 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Chris Collier received the most work in the backfield again on Saturday, but couldn't turn it into much. The rookie out of Lock Haven University turned 13 carries into 42 yards and was only targeted once but didn't catch it. Now that the preseason has concluded, Collier finished with a total of 82 yards on 28 carries and two catches for 22 yards. He could only muster a 2.8 yards per carry average while the run game failed to do much throughout the preseason. Collier may still make the team at the end of the depth chart, but it seems like more than a long shot to see him on the field for anything other than special teams this season.