Running back Buck Allen thinks Saints offense is perfect fit

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Javorius “Buck” Allen didn’t worry about the lack of opportunities from NFL teams this offseason.

The former Baltimore Ravens running back knew stressing out about his situation wouldn’t help, so he tried to stay patient, hoping the phone would ring with a team on the other end offering him a chance.

The New Orleans Saints hosted Allen for a workout last week, and he impressed enough to earn a one-year deal and another opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL.

“I always said when I was little, ‘It takes two people, yourself and somebody else to believe in you and give you the opportunity,’” Allen said Thursday after a session of organized team activities. “It’s your job and it’s up to you to really prove to them they were right on their chance of going with you. So, that’s what I’m here to do.”

Allen was a fourth-round pick out of USC in 2015. He had a productive rookie season with the Ravens, gaining 514 yards as a runner and another 353 yards as a receiver, but in 2016, he slid down the depth chart and was active for just eight games.

In 2017, Allen was back to being productive with 591 rushing yards and 250 receiving yards, he moved down the depth chart again in 2018, which he said was related to Baltimore altering the offense for rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson.

With just 110 rushing yards in 2018 and a 3.7-yard average in his career, Allen became a free agent in March with little fanfare. He had to wait until May for his first tryout with the Saints, and if that didn’t produce an opportunity, he said he had another tryout scheduled with the Indianapolis Colts.

Instead, Allen’s patience paid off as he’s now a member of the Saints, and he thinks his skills fit the New Orleans offense.

“I just think it fits me so perfect,” he said.

Alvin Kamara will be the Saints’ top running back again in 2019, and the team signed Latavius Murray in March to be the No. 2 option. Behind them, Dwayne Washington appeared in 13 games for the Saints last season but mostly worked on special teams. Undrafted running back Devine Ozigbo will compete for a role, too, and when the Saints signed Allen last week, they also added veteran Matt Dayes.

To make the roster, Allen will have to impress on special teams, but his ability as a runner and receiver could help him carve out a role on offense. He’s only been with the team a week, but so far, he’s seeing that his patience paid off.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “A lot of guys usually get discouraged because they’re like, ‘Man, I should’ve been picked up by now.’ Or, ‘Man, I’m just sitting here waiting.’

“I’m a patient guy, always been, and anybody can attest to that. This was the offense for me.”