In another popular mainstream ‘Day 2’ NFL Mock Draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller has projected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen to the Indianapolis Colts with the 47th overall pick in Round 2 :
47. Indianapolis Colts
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Losing Zaire Franklin in free agency left a hole in the middle of the defense. Allen is a solid run defender who is raved about by coaches and scouts. He would be the green dot Mike linebacker here in no time.
The 6,’0 3/4”, 230 pound junior linebacker (with 31 1/2” arms) was a 2x SEC Champion, consensus
All-American, and First-Team All-SEC member for the Georgia Bulldogs. This past season, Allen recorded 88 tackles (47 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery during 13 starts.
Here’s his NFL.com draft profile overview, where his pro comparison is coincidentally departed former Colts All-Pro veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin:
Overview
“Green dot” linebacker and team captain more capable of rowing the boat than making big splashes. Allen plays with toughness and control, sorting through run fits with patience and leverage in pursuit. He has average trigger quickness and pursuit speed, which forces him to work harder to get to junction points when facing climbing blockers. He has adequate size and strength with good hand strikes to play off blocks. He doesn’t blow up blocks or disrupt on the other side of the line all that often, though. He’s an effective blitzer with average man-cover talent and is capable on all three downs. Allen is a dependable starting Mike ‘backer who raises the floor of a defense.
Meanwhile, Allen is NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah’s 32nd best overall ranked prospect in this year’s draft class:
Allen is a productive, intelligent playmaker. He plays bigger than his listed size (6-foot-1, 235 pounds). Against the run, he has good instincts/awareness. He can thud off offensive guards or play over the top of them. He flies around the field with outstanding effort. He’s an explosive striker on ball-carriers with a high batting average as a tackler. He has some tightness, which shows up in coverage, but he has enough speed to run with TEs and RBs. He’s instinctive as a zone dropper. Sources at Georgia rave about his character, leadership and communication skills. Allen should be a steady, reliable force very early in his pro career.
Right now, the Colts have major question marks at starting linebacker in the wake of Franklin being traded to the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason and fellow former veteran starter Germaine Pratt remaining a free agent.
While the Colts did recently sign veteran linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, who played for their defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo formerly with the Cincinnati Bengals, there’s a major hole projected alongside him. The top internal candidates to start otherwise are currently Austin Ajiake or Jaylon Carlies.
There should be a handful of intriguing linebacker options at Pick #47 for the Colts, but Allen is certainly another one who projects as a ‘plug-and-play’ immediate impact starter—even as a rookie.
For what it’s worth, Miller also had the Colts taking Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham with Pick #78 in Round 3.
