Jets RB Braelon Allen blames Underwear Olympics for draft failure: This is how they decided if I was 'good'

The New York Jets may have gotten a steal in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen with the No. 134 overall pick. Despite being one of the youngest players in the entire class and possessing excellent size at 6'1″ and 235 pounds, nine running backs were selected ahead of him.

In his first three NFL games, Allen has rushed 19 times for 96 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 45 yards and another touchdown. While the Jets have a superstar in the backfield in Breece Hall, New York's staff has already decided that the 20-year-old Allen deserves some playing time in Aaron Rodgers' offense.

How did Allen fall to the fourth round in the last draft? This question has been asked repeatedly on social media. Allen took the time to answer this question on Friday, blaming it on the importance given to the NFL Combine or the “Underwear Olympics.”

“Everyone wanted to see me run in my underwear to decide if I was a good football player,” Allen wrote.

Although Allen participated in this year's combine, he did not participate in all drills. For example, he did not run the 40-yard dash – a drill that fans and pundits pay too much attention to.

In the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans, Allen totaled 56 yards and two touchdowns, making him the youngest NFL player to score a touchdown since Arnie Herber in 1930 (both at 20 years and 239 days old) and the youngest player in NFL history to score multiple touchdowns in a game. Allen also set a franchise record by becoming the first Jets rookie to score a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a single game.

So in the future, when you wonder why Allen failed in the draft, remember that the underwear speed contest isn't everything.