Who Should I Start? Raheem Mostert or Braelon Allen

Monday, March 17, 10:40 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders added veteran running back Raheem Mostert on a one-year deal last week in free agency, but ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that the expectation is for the 32-year-old to be the team's No. 2 back and not the top guy. The Raiders could add another RB in free agency among the likes of Nick Chubb, Jamaal Williams, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, but the best path for the team adding to their backfield is to take advantage of a deep RB class in the draft. Vegas could take top RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall, but if they don't, there will be plenty of value options at the position later in the draft, including Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Henderson and Judkins both played for new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who was the Buckeye's offensive coordinator last year.

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.