Continuing this series, where I highlight my top ten favorite running backs from the upcoming NFL draft class, the current or former pro they remind me of most, and whether I see them as a fit for Ben Johnson’s offense this season for the Chicago Bears. Remember, these are NOT fantasy rankings or even who I think will get drafted in order but simply my top backs based on tape, measurables, production and my own personal taste.
#5: Kaytron Allen – Penn State- WORKHORSE
Recruited out of the IMG Academy in South Florida, the 4-star RB was hailed
as a top 200 player of the 2022 class and the 15th best RB nationwide. He shared a class at Penn State with my #6 player on this list, Nicholas Singleton, who was a top 20 player nationwide and the #1 RB of the 2022 class. While his Penn State counterpart struggled with up-and-down years as a collegiate RB, Kaytron Allen was a model of consistency despite being the less heralded prospect coming out of high school.
Allen never finished a season at Penn State with less than a 5.0 yards per carry average and increased his total rush yards each season of his career – culminating in his best season as a Senior with 1,303 yards and 15 TDs on a 6.2 yard per carry average and a long of 67 yards (his career long). Though he never had had the deep speed of Singleton, Allen had more runs of 40+ yards in their Senior season (4) than Singleton did (2). Though Kaytron didn’t break any weight lifting records, he did break the all-time rushing yardage record in Penn State history with 3,954 yards.
Simply put – Allen just gets it done.
Even though he lacks true deep speed, Allen boasts some of the more impressive vision and short area quickness for a back of his size and is a load to bring down – always seeming to fall forward. The type of back who can chip away at a defense for 4-6 yards per run, break off a 20-yarder multiple times a game, and punch it in from 1 or 2 yards out. Nothing flashy about his style, but impossible not to notice its effectiveness if you watched the Nittany Lions play over the last 4 years. Which is exactly how I grew to love this prospect. Despite turning on Penn State for other players over the last few years like Jahan Dotson, Olu Fashanu, Tyler Warren or Nick Singleton, Allen was the one who surprised me most over the years. Truth be told, if Penn State had a better season and he had a chance to showcase his abilities in the College Football Playoffs, he may have ended up higher on this list. Either way, top 5 ain’t bad. Check out my pro comp.
Pro Comp: Knowshon Moreno
Allen: 5’11”, 218lb, 4.55* forty, 29 1/2” arms, 9 1/2” hands
Moreno: 5’11”, 217lb, 4.62 forty, 30 3/4”arms, 10” hands, 25 bench
This was one of the more fun comparisons of this years series. I was always a fan of Knowshon despite him not being the flashiest back out there. While I would say his explosiveness and shiftiness are superior to Kaytron’s, both share tremendous vision, toughness, and agility to avoid would-be tacklers in confined spaces. Making them each imposing challenges for the defenses they line up against. I feel Kaytron will never be the threat in the passing game that Knowshon was, but that could change as his game develops at the next level. At Penn State, Singleton was more of a passing game threat, but Allen is more than capable of handling screens and short passes out of the backfield. Both Moreno and Allen were excellent pass bockers, so a 3-down role early in his career would not be a surprise. Ultimately, I don’t expect the all-time leading rusher in Penn State history to be drafted in the first round like his pro comp here, but I could absolutely see a similar career path where he plays for 5 or 6 years and hovers around 5-10 TDs per season as a consistent weapon for his team.
Here are some clips of each.
Fit for Bears? No.
While I clearly love Kaytron Allen, his game is more similar to Kyle Monangai, in my opinion, and Monangai figures to be around a while. Chicago needs more of a change-of-pace back in the mold of D’Andre Swift who is a threat in both the running and passing game to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Coach Ben Johnson loves explosive plays and I am of the opinion the next Bears back needs to be more of an explosive weapon in both the run and pass game. Either way, I will most certainly be following where he lands and can’t wait to see if he can continue evolving as a RB.
What do you think of Allen being ahead of Singleton? Do you agree he is not the best fit for Chicago?
BChuk’s Backs:
10 – Kaelon Black, Indiana
9 – Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
8 – Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
7 – Noah Whittington, Oregon
6 – Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
