Wisconsin has one of PFF’s top 2024 NFL Draft prospects

We are eight months away from the 2024 NFL Draft, those months obviously including an entire college football season and subsequent draft process.

A lot changes from preseason to post. Just two years ago then-Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler was the projected first overall pick entering the season. What happened? Well, he got benched for Caleb Williams midway through the season, transferred to South Carolina and is still its starting quarterback.

So, don’t take any of these preseason rankings as gospel. That said, they are valuable tools to learn which collegiate players may be in for a big season.

According to PFF, one of those players is a Wisconsin Badger. The outlet released its top 10 RBs in the 2024 NFL Draft and slotted in at No. 4: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen.

Here’s what PFF’s Trevor Sikkema said about the rising junior:

Ah, yes, another extremely productive Wisconsin running back.

Allen is coming off back-to-back 1,200-yard rushing seasons as a true freshman and sophomore. Even more impressive is when you realize he did that while Wisconsin faced eight or more defenders in the box on 61.4% of its rushing attempts last season, the fourth-highest rate in the country — behind only the three service academies.

He’s also a massive back at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds — ranking in the 97th and 96th percentiles, respectively. He’s not just a bruiser, either. There’s plenty of finesse to Allen’s game, as he can dance behind the line of scrimmage to find open space.

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The first note should resonate with Wisconsin fans that have followed the whole offseason: both Allen and Chez Mellusi should face much lighter boxes in 2023. There’s a good chance that leads to better yards before contact, better health and better overall productivity.

This should be Allen’s best season yet. A selection in next year’s NFL Draft should not surprise anybody.