According to PFF, Indianapolis Colts new linebacker, CJ Allen, who was the 53rd overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday night, is one of the biggest steals in this year’s class :
LB CJ Allen, Georgia Bulldogs
- PFF Big Board Rank: 18
- Actual Pick: 53
- 2025 PFF Grade: 75.8
Allen is a physical, reliable middle linebacker with strong run-defense ability. His length limitations are notable, but he flashes enough in coverage to project as a starter.
The 6,’0 3/4”, 230 pound junior linebacker out of Georgia recorded 88 tackles (47 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced
fumbles, and a fumble recovery during 13 starts this past season. Allen earned consensus All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors in 2025 and was a 2x SEC Champion for the Bulldogs.
Per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Allen was his 32nd best overall prospect in this year’s draft class, but the Colts managed to obtain great value at Pick #53, and that was even after a trade down from their original #47th overall pick, that also netted Indianapolis an additional 4th round pick:
32. CJ Allen
Georgia · LB · Junior
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.
Allen projects as an immediate starter for the Colts defense, alongside recently signed veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither in the 2nd level of their defense at linebacker. He’s instinctive with speed, athleticism, and sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability, who can provide thump against the ground game and has been lauded for leadership.
If there’s one deficiency he’ll need to work on at the next level, it’s his pass coverage, but he’s better than advertised in that regard.
Here’s what else they’re saying on Allen right now as a top linebacker prospect right now:
