Scouting Reports: DL Jonathan Allen

DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

6’3”, 286 lbs.

Pros:

• Very productive 3-4 5-technique, who dominated the SEC the last 3 years.
• Really good pass rusher from that role with 22.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
• Extremely high awareness, always seems to be around the football and making plays. Does a really nice job getting off blocks in the run game and chasing down ball carriers.
• Consistently the first guy moving after the snap, allows him to get into the backfield quickly and make plays/cause disruption.
• Very technically sound, uses his hands and a variety of moves to create pressure.

Cons:

• Combine athletic numbers were very poor and didn’t match the expectation from tape or his production. And he didn’t try to improve them at his Pro Day.
• Shorter than you’d like for a 5 technique and not as bulky for a 4-3 interior DL.
• Apparently has some major shoulder concerns that teams will need to monitor.

Overall:

Allen is the ultimate tape and production vs athletic testing and medical, type of prospect. If you watched him these past two years and look at the type of production he had in the SEC he seems like a surefire top 5 pick. If you just projected him on his size, lack of athleticism and medical concerns he might not even be drafted. Now tape obviously matters more, but you can’t just ignore the poor testing numbers and the medical concerns are there and will be a major negative for some teams.

In the end I think Allen still goes in the top 20, and he’ll likely go to a 3-4 team that is a better fit for his skill set, even without the athletic ability. Allen’s technique and quickness off the snap will fit best in that system, and it’s the best way to maximize his talent.