After not making any additions in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars are making reinforcements to their running back group in the 2025 NFL Draft. First, they selected Bhayshul Tuten early in the fourth round and later selected LeQuint Allen with the 236th overall pick, their last pick in Round 7.
Allen appeared in 39 games at Syracuse, toting the rock 514 times for 2,359 yards with 26 touchdowns. He also showed pass-catching aptitudes, hauling in 119 receptions for 848 yards. And precisely because he can catch the football out of the backfield, he could carve a niche with the Jaguars.
Granted, Allen lacks explosiveness or power but has great vision and excels in pass protection. Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team had a sixth-round grade on him, noting that he's got the traits to become a third-down specialist.
"Allen projects as a rotational back and potential third-round specialist at the NFL level. He offers good vision as a runner but is not built for heavy workloads between the tackles," Crabbs said. "Instead, he shines on the edges and is a slippery assignment in routes while showing the needed appetite for contact to win as a pass protector."
In Jacksonville, Allen will join a group that includes Travis Etienne (for now), Tank Bigsby, and the aforementioned Tuten.
What should the Jaguars expect from LeQuint Allen in 2025?
The Jaguars needed a RB3 after letting D'Ernest Johnson walk in free agency. Sure, Keilan Robinson is still in the mix but could face an uphill battle to stick around. After all, he missed his rookie season with a toe injury and will need to prove himself to the new coaching staff.
It's uncertain if Travis Etienne will stay in 2025 but may need to compete for playing time behind Tank Bigsby after the arrival of Bhayshul Tuten. If the Jaguars trade Etienne, though, Tune would probably be the No. 2 running back behind Bigsby. That would pave the way for LeQuinton Allen to become the third-stringer. Of course, he would need to fend off Robinson.
Either way, Allen should have a favorable chance of earning a 53-man roster, whether the Jaguars cut ties with Travis Etienne or not. Given that there's a new regime in place, he'll get a clean slate.