Cowboys Draft Prospect Scouting Report: Braelon Allen Could Solve RB Problem

With the Dallas Cowboys not having much cap space to sign free agents, the team will have to lean on the 2024 NFL Draft to fill in the necessary gaps on their roster.

The Cowboys made eight selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, which included three picks within the top 100. Dallas’ 2023 draft class didn’t make a ton of noise. But that’s okay as they’ll have another year in the system.

Heading into next month’s NFL draft, the Cowboys will need to use one of their seven picks on a running back as Tony Pollard signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys have Rico Dowdle (recently re-signed) and Deuce Vaughn (2023 draft pick) on the roster, but that isn’t enough to compete in the NFC.

However, the good news for Dallas is that this is a solid running back draft class despite fans spending most of their attention on the quarterback and receiver classes. Below, we’ll break down one running back prospect who had a productive collegiate career and a lot of upside.

Braleon Allen’s 2023 Stats at Wisconsin

The 6-foot-1 running back is coming off another good season at Wisconsin. Allen failed to get 1,000 rushing yards in 2023, but he still had 984 yards and 12 scores on 181 carries. He also showed he can be used in the passing game — 28 receptions for 132 yards.

Over his three-year career, the Badgers didn’t ask Allen to be a pass catcher out of the backfield as he was dominant on the ground. 

However, the young running back must show that he can catch the ball comfortably out of the backfield and not be a liability in pass pro. If you want to be a three-down running back in the NFL, you must be able to pass block.

At the same time, Allen still has a lot of untapped potential as a 20-year-old and could see some snaps as a rookie, depending on what team takes him.

The Cowboys could use a bigger running back to offset what they have in Dowdle and Vaughn, who the latter could become a Darren Sproles-type.

Braelon Allen Draft Prediction

NFL.com’s draft analyst Chad Reuter had Allen being drafted in the second round with the 58th overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in his February mock draft. However, CBS Sports’ Chris Trappasso has Allen being drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Rams (No. 99 overall) in his Mar. 20 mock draft.

That said, we can surmise that Allen will be a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick, which makes a lot of sense. The young running back has a physical running style and can run between the tackles. 

Even though the running back position has been devalued over the last few years, many teams will be looking to add a rookie running back or two in the NFL Draft and during the undrafted free agent period.

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