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Buck Allen NFL Draft Preview: Stock, Mock Drafts and Projections

By Alicia de Artola

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Buck Allen projects as a day three pick in the NFL draft, but could offer great middle round value to the right team.

RELATED: The 50 best draft picks to come out of USC

Why Buck Allen will get drafted

Despite the fact he would be a 24-year-old rookie running back, Allen is a prototypical combo back without an abundance amount of wear and tear on his body.

His running style works both between the tackles as a slasher and outside as a home run threat in space, as seen by his eight runs of 40 yards or more while at USC.

What Buck Allen did at USC

Allen was a two-year starter at USC, holding the top spot in each of his last two seasons in the college ranks. But while Allen had plenty of success, he was buried on the depth chart for the bulk of his career under then head coach Lane Kiffin.

Injuries plus the sacking of Kiffin opened up opportunities for Allen in 2013 and he immediately took a stranglehold of the starting running back position by amassing 100 yards from scrimmage in 18 of his 19 games as a featured back.

Last year, Allen was the only player in FBS to exceed 100 total yards in each of his team’s games, doing so with a Pac-12 leading 1,947 yards from scrimmage.

Allen concluded his USC career ranked 14th on the Trojans’ all-time rushing list with 2,306 rushing yards, and 16th with over 3,000 total yards from scrimmage.

What the scouts are saying about Buck Allen

Allen is the No. 79 player available in the draft according to Mike Mayock’s player rankings. That sits him ninth among running backs.

Though not particularly highly-rated, Allen is considered a solid prospect in a very deep running back class.

Frank Cooney of NFLDraftScout.com called Allen a “jack of all traits and the master of none.” Cooney likened him to LeGarrette Blount, without the baggage, and labeled the Trojan back as a work-in-progress with enough toughness to make it in the NFL.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports listed Allen’s “controlled aggression” as a strength, noting that he has the “burst to zip through holes and the patience to allow them to develop.” Still, rang questions Allen’s balance and breakaway speed.

Where Allen is going in Mock Drafts

  • Lance Zierlein / Chad Reuter (NFL.com): Oakland Raiders, 5th round, 140th overall
  • Charlie Campbell (Walter Football): Oakland Raiders, 4th round, 102nd overall
  • DraftTek (Computer Algorithm): Pittsburgh Steelers, 4th round, 121st overall

Now’s your turn to put on your scouting cap. Where do you see Allen being drafted? Vote in our poll below and sound off in the comments.

Where will Buck Allen go in the NFL draft?

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