Ranking the Top 15 Running Backs in the 2015 NFL Draft

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T4. Buck Allen, 6’0, 221, USC

Allen was kind of a one-year wonder, picking up his first 1,000-yard season as a junior as he got the heavy share of the workload for the first time following the departure of Silas Redd to the NFL. He’s got enough of a body of work to have made a real impression on NFL teams, but at the same time, he should end up accruing some extra value in personnel evaluators’ minds because he has fresh legs, having collected only 141 college carries coming into 2014.

Allen is a very explosive back with above-average breakaway speed. He can make things happen both between the tackles and to the outside, and he does a great job of breaking tackles, as it’s nearly impossible for defenders to bring him down by grabbing at his ankles. While he didn’t do so at USC, it would be interesting to see a team try Allen as a kick returner.

On the other hand, Allen needs to better his skills as a contributor to the passing game. Neither his pass protection or receiving skills were up to par when he played for the Trojans, and it’s crucial that he improve them in order to be a viable three-down back.

Due to his relative inexperience as a college player, it’s easy to see how Allen could end up being better as a pro than he was at USC. He’s probably not a day one starting option for an NFL team, but he definitely has the upside to become a number one back in the future.

Next: 3. Jay Ajayi