OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The unceremonious releases of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce in the last eighth months made another running back a clear wish for the Ravens in this year’s draft.
They added to that position with the selection of USC’s Javorius “Buck” Allen in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick. The 6-foot, 220-pound back rushed for 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior season before declaring for this year’s draft.
Allen initially figures to compete with 2014 fourth-round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro for the primary backup job behind Pro Bowl running back Justin Forsett, but he could project as the long-term starter in Baltimore. He ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and is considered an ideal one-cut runner in the Ravens’ zone blocking schemes expected to continue to be used under new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.
“They pretty much said that they like the work I do out of the backfield and that I have great hands,” Allen said. “They said they were going to put my talents to use, so I’m ready to come there and do whatever I have to do to help the team win.”
He was the 11th running back selected in the 2015 draft.
