In one of the best running back classes in recent memory, Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen isn’t getting the love he deserves. If this was the 2024 NFL Draft, Allen would be viewed as one of the top five players at his position. Appearing in 13 games as a junior, he was one of only two running backs in the nation with over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. Oh, he also led his conference with 20 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Allen still has his fair share of weaknesses. He lacks breakaway speed as a runner and doesn’t have the best vision. But his ability to catch the football and run over defenders led Mike Kashuba of the Fantasy Football RPG podcast to call Allen “one of the most polarizing prospects” in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is the perfect way to describe Allen. It is rare to find running backs that can play both outside and slot receiver while also carrying 250-pound linebackers into the end zone for a touchdown. There will be a handful of teams looking to add a player like this to their backfield, but these five make the most sense.
5 Teams That Could Draft Syracuse Running Back LeQuint Allen
Denver Broncos
Imagine Sean Payton with another running back with three-down potential. Allen is incredibly similar to other backs that have contributed within the offensive scheme of Payton. Alvin Kamara, Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles all had roles similar to the one Allen played in his final two seasons with Syracuse. With Javonte Williams set to hit free agency next month, the Broncos need depth at running back now more than ever. Sean Payton will love everything about the film Allen has out there.
Kansas City Chiefs
With the potential loss of running backs Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine to free agency, the Chiefs are in dire need of a starter and depth at the position. Allen is the kind of player Andy Reid and the Kansas City offense love to have. He is a versatile player who can run in both gap and zone schemes or even line up at wide receiver. If the offensive line continues to be an issue in Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes would love to have a player like Allen to check it down to and gain additional yardage.
Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard had a breakout season for the Panthers on the ground last season. He posted 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his NFL career to go along with 10 touchdowns. The selection of Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft did not pan out the way Carolina had hoped. He tore his ACL for the second time in his football career and is an uncertainty headed into the 2025 season. Allen is an exceptional pass protector and would give the Panthers offense additional protection in the backfield.
Dallas Cowboys
Running back is one of the biggest needs the Cowboys have this offseason. Rico Dowdle, the teams leading rusher from this past season, is set to hit free agency next month. Even if Dallas finds a way to re-sign him, the Cowboys should invest heavily in their backfield this spring. Spending an early draft pick on a blue-chip prospect like Ashton Jeanty and selecting LeQuint Allen later in the draft would immediately give the offense a more balanced attack.
Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll is the new head coach in Las Vegas. In his final draft class as the head coach in Seattle, Carroll spent two selections on known receiving backs. The Seahawks ended up selecting Zach Charbonnet in the second round and Kenny McIntosh in the seventh. Carroll has been open about his intrigue and desire to roster this kind of running back. Allen definitely fits that bill. He is an incredibly similar prospect to Charbonnet when he was coming out of UCLA. The Raiders have a glaring need at the running back position and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Carroll falls in love with LeQuint Allen and selects him higher in the draft than many anticipate.
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