One of the better position group battles that’ll take place over the summer and training camp belongs to the Commanders’ running backs. Kaytron Allen, Washington’s sixth-round draft pick, brings an element to the unit that is lacking in the absence of Chris Rodriguez Jr., and, before Rodriguez, even Brian Robinson Jr. Allen, albeit a shifty running back with good contact balance and vision, is ultimately a power back. At 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds, Allen is the biggest running back on the team, and plays
true to his frame.
Allen, though, has a steep hill to climb to earn real playing time. Jacory Croskey-Merritt enters camp with momentum after his rookie season, Jeremy McNichols proved Washington can trust him in a complementary role, and veteran additions Jerome Ford and Rachaad White bring NFL production and experience. Every spot in the rotation will have to be earned.
Make no mistake, though, the window of opportunity for Allen is there to cement himself as an impact player as a rookie. While Croskey-Merritt has established himself as a quality back, Washington lacks a true feature back.
Further, this coaching staff has consistently rewarded competition over draft status, as Croskey-Merritt earned his playing time just one season ago. If Allen proves he can provide the physical presence this offense presumably lacks, the rookie could force his way into the rotation much sooner than expected.
Allen has scheme versatility. He can thrive in a gap or zone run scheme, and in new offensive coordinator David Blough’s potential system, his patience and acceleration/short-area burst make him a desirable component in Washington’s run game. In this Trap or Dive Film Session, I break down Allen’s vision, contact balance, patience, and scheme versatility, and examine the biggest concern in his game — his lack of top-end speed. The question isn’t whether Allen can play in the NFL. It’s whether his best traits are enough to force Washington’s coaching staff to put him on the field.
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