Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Ht. 6'3", Wt. 290, Arm: -, Hand: -, Bench: -
40 yd: -, 10 yd.: -, 3 Cone: -, Vertical: -, Broad: -
Games Watched: Michigan State (2015), USC, Texas A&M
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As a Virginia high schooler, Jonathan Allen had his choice of pretty much any school in the country. The 5-star Gatorade Player of the Year, played sparingly as a true freshman in 2013, but began his ascension as a sophomore. He finished 2014 with 5 sacks and 11 TFL and was named first-team all-conference.
Allen established himself as one of the nation's premier defenders in 2015. The junior finished second in the SEC with 12 sacks and added 14.5 TFL on his way to first-team all-conference honors. His production dipped a bit as a senior, but his dominance was recognized with a first-team All-America selection, the Nagurski Trophy and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Bednarik and Hendriks awards.
Strengths
• Speed - Exceptional burst, quickness
• Strength - Holds ground, discards blockers
• Hands - Stays clean, variety of moves
• Relentless - Always looking to disrupt
• Body Control - Exceptional balance, always in control
• Awareness - Always has eye on ball
• Instincts - Rarely out of position to make play
• Versatility - Can man multiple gaps in any scheme
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Weaknesses
• Tweener - Lacks burst of pure EDGE, size of DT
Verdict: First Round
Nick Saban has helped put a lot of Alabama defenders into the NFL, but Allen might be the best of them. From splitting or anchoring double teams to running the arc from the edge, there was nothing he didn't do really well at Alabama. He was a man among boys in college and might be the best combination of high upside and safe pick in this draft.
Allen would be an upgrade at pretty much any position along the Cowboys defensive line. The problem is that he's a top-5 pick and, like Myles Garrett, should be long gone whenever the Cowboys pick.
