UW's Braelon Allen says NFL running backs deserve more money, respect
INDIANAPOLIS – Braelon Allen is focused on helping Wisconsin win a Big Ten championship in 2023.
“Just win,” the talented tailback said Thursday on Day 2 of the Big Ten preseason football meetings when asked to share the No. 1 goal for the team. “We want to win every single game.”
But Allen, who's a good bet to enter the 2024 NFL draft if his junior season unfolds as he expects, is also aware he plays a position that's low on the financial pecking order at the next level.
Braelon Allen has taken note of how several marquee running backs in the NFL haven't gotten lucrative deals
“I definitely pay attention to it,” Allen said. “I find it unfortunate. Hopefully by the time — God willing — I am in that situation, it will be more figured out.
“Right now, I think it is a little unfair. Because when you look at the reasoning behind the organizations not wanting to pay their running backs, it applies to almost every other position on the field.
“They talk about tread on their tires. They get hit every play. Well, everybody on the field is playing the same sport. I feel like it is only the running backs that take the hit for that.
“Receivers have to block every play if they’re not running a route. And if they’re not running a route, they will get hit, too. I find it a little weird.”
Several talented running backs recently discussed the topic via video conference to share their concerns.
“There's really nothing we can do,” Cleveland Browns tailback Nick Chubb, one of the players on the conference call, told reporters recently. “We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation. … But the biggest thing is that we’re at a position where our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run from 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year, they’re going to say you're probably worn down. That's the biggest thing that I took from it.”
Former UW tailback Jonathan Taylor, preparing for his fourth season with the Indianapolis Colts, wants a new contract. The Colts haven’t obliged.
Saquon Barkley sought to reach a long-term deal with the New York Giants. When talks resulted in a stalemate, Barkley suggested he might consider sitting out the season but eventually agreed to a one-year deal that could be worth $11 million.
Reigning NFL rushing champ Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders has yet to report to camp.
According to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, running backs who are assigned the franchise tag by their teams get a one-year salary of $10.091 million. That's lower than any other position group and higher than only specialists ($5.393 million).
Allen was recruited as a safety and then projected to play linebacker but he loves carrying the ball
Remember that Allen was first recruited to play safety at UW, but then was projected to play linebacker after bulking up to 240 pounds from 215.
UW needed more help at tailback than at linebacker when Allen arrived as a freshman in 2021, however, so that's where he landed.
Allen averaged 6.8 yards per carry as a freshman and finished the season with 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His per-carry average slipped to 5.4 yards last season, though he still rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem like safeties, or with the exception of a few linebackers, they’re not really making much more than running backs,” Allen said. “So in terms of wanting to play a different position because of money, that doesn’t really apply to me.
“I enjoy playing running back. I believe it is the most enjoyable position in football. I love to score touchdowns and have big runs.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's Braelon Allen paying attention to NFL running backs deals
