On Friday, the New York Giants waived rookie running back Jon Hilliman as the result of a costly and game-changing fumble against the New England Patriots, signing veteran back Javorius Allen to replace him.
The need for a veteran running back has been obvious from the onset, which is why the loss of Rod Smith has loomed so large.
Even when Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman return, will Allen be that answer at RB3? For now, here are five things to know about Big Blue’s newest running back.
Former fourth-round pick
Allen was a fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens out of USC in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the 10th overall running back to be drafted that year, joining the likes of Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and David Johnson.
At the time, one AFC assistant coach had Allen ranked as the fourth-best back in the draft based on their needs.
“He’s not the most physical guy I’ve ever graded, but he’ll pass-block and he’s solid in most areas. I have him as my 4th-rated back in the draft for what we want,” the coach said, via NFL.com.
First-team All-Pac 12 in 2014
In his final year before entering the NFL Draft, and one year removed from being named team MVP, the USC back was named first-team All-Pac 12.
That season, Allen gained 1,489 yards on 276 carries (5.4 ypc) and scored 11 touchdowns. For good measure, he added an additional 458 yards and one touchdown on 41 receptions.
The 1,947 scrimmage yards were the most of Allen’s college career, but his 12 total touchdowns were second (he scored 15 total in 2013).
A true triple threat
Not only is Allen capable of handling 20 carries a game if called upon, he’s also a valuable target out of the backfield, capable of running solid routes and using his impressive hands.
In addition to his ability to run and catch, Allen also prides himself on pass protection and blitz pickup, which may have been the primary reason the Giants were sold on him following workouts.
Spent time with Saints
After four seasons with the Ravens, Allen hit free agency for the first time this past offseason and ended up signing with the Saints.
Unfortunately for Allen, he was unable to practice throughout training camp due to an undisclosed injury that ultimately landed him on injured reserve. The team then released him with an injury settlement in late July.
Allen never took a single offensive snap for New Orleans, where he spent just over two months.
Humble beginnings
Allen comes from a broken family — he grew up living in a dilapidated trailer owned by his grandmother, who had taken him and his two brothers in after their mother was unable to care for them.
Their time was spent ridding the trailer of bugs and snakes while allotting extra time to attempting to keep the rain out.
Later in life, one of Allen’s brothers, Devon Brown, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on a murder charge. Brown’s loss of freedom helped propel Allen.
“It almost sounded like he was crying,” Allen said of an early prison conversation he had with his brother, via the Baltimore Sun. “He was just like, ‘I’m so happy for you, to know that my little brother is out there living his dream and accomplishing things he thought he wouldn’t accomplish.’ He said that it gave him hope, gave him a reason to stay alive, gave him a reason to fight every day. That touched me.
“Honestly, I just think about the opportunity I have to play the game that I love and I think about those who weren’t able to make it, or those who got in trouble. Mainly, I just think about back home and I think about if I quit, I’m not just quitting on my teammates, I’m not just quitting on myself. I’m quitting on my family and all of those people that helped me get to this point.”
Allen, who was just 15 at the time, uses his brother’s situation as motivation and never looked back.
