Javorius Allen

After disappearing from the offense the previous season, Allen played 16 games in 2017 and resumed his role as the Ravens' top pass-catching back, setting career highs in rushing yards and receptions. The 26-year-old looks the part of a feature back at 6-0, 220, but his size has never translated into powering through tackles, and he instead relies on his agility to make defenders miss while ultimately lacking the speed to outrun them in the open field. He's solid in pass protection, though, and his skill set should allow him to remain the third-down complement to starter Alex Collins. Allen's role could grow if Collins can't duplicate his out-of-nowhere performance from 2017, and it remains to be seen what the offense will look like once the team begins the transition from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson. Heading into his fourth season, Allen's ceiling appears firmly capped by both his expected role and his personal limitations as a runner.

Allen parlayed a successful collegiate career at USC into being a fourth-round selection for the Ravens in 2015, and he showed promising early returns as a rookie. However, the Ravens added Terrance West as a free agent and spent a draft pick on Kenneth Dixon in 2016, showing that the organization wasn't sold on Allen as a key backfield component. Allen's carry total dropped from 137 in 2015 to just nine in 2016. He primarily played on special teams, but was listed as inactive for the final five games of the season. Kenneth Dixon's expected season-long absence could lead to Allen seeing more offensive snaps, but he'd still be at-best the third option behind West and Danny Woodhead. Allen's trajectory within the organization makes it difficult to see the USC product having much of a fantasy impact in 2017.

Injuries forced Allen into a starting role for the final six games of his rookie year, and he wasn't particularly flashy, managing just 3.5 yards per carry over that span. That said, there's something to be said for volume and versatility — Allen touched the ball 133 times the final six weeks (including 37 catches on 49 targets) and wound up being the No. 3 PPR back and No. 6 standard back over that period. Let's also give some of the credit to offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who's the best friend a pass-catching back ever had. Nonetheless, nothing in Allen's tape or efficiency stats carved out a definitive role for his second season. The Ravens hope to get Justin Forsett back to full health this year, they drafted rookie Kenneth Dixon in the fourth round and they have others on standby (Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West, Trent Richardson). Are we sure Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes don't want to give it a shot, too? Allen has shown he can be quietly effective in a featured role, but he'll need the dominoes to fall just right for him to be a fantasy factor in 2016. There's too much crowding here.

A fourth-round pick out of USC, Allen was considered one of the most NFL-ready backs in this year's draft. While he doesn't possess breakaway speed and isn't as physical a runner as his 6-0, 221-pound frame suggests, Allen was extremely elusive in college as his acceleration and quick feet made defenders miss. He also displayed aptitude in the passing game, both as a receiver and in blitz pickup, which could allow him to become a three-down back if he gets the opportunity. New offensive coordinator Marc Trestman made the most of Matt Forte's skills in Chicago, and while Allen may not be at Forte's level as a player, incoming coaches sometimes prefer “their guys” over holdovers. Despite his initial spot on the depth chart behind Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro, Allen seemingly has a chance to make an impact this season.