Analysis
DEPTH CHARTS FEATURE - What Ourlads NFL Scouting Services said before JONATHAN ALLEN made the Washington Redskins' depth chart: Alabama, 6025 286 5.02. Three-year starter from Leesburg, VA. Selected as a permanent team captain and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Unanimous All-America honors as well as the winner of the 2016 Chuck Bednarik, Bronco Nagurski, Ted Hendricks, and Lombardi Awards. He finished 7th in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Specializes as a physical interior pass rusher where his frame can handle the more physical interior blockers but will overmatch them with his quick first step and developed rush moves. A powerful, flexible force who can rush the quarterback with initial burst and secondary movement alike (see play versus Texas A&M where he elevates himself over the center and into the quarterback). Diagnoses and responds, good anticipation. Has pro caliber footwork already and enough strength to handle NFL double teams right now. Leaves Alabama as the second best sack specialist in school history with 28.5, behind only Pro and College Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas. He is 4th on the all-time tackle for loss roster with 44.5. Was third on the team with 69 tackles and had a team high 15 quarterback hurries. Had three fumble recoveries, one he returned 75 yards for a touchdown and another he returned 30 yards for a score. He led the team in sacks with 10.5. In the national championship game versus Clemson he collected seven tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Allen is an instinctive player with good football intelligence. Quick to read and react. Plays low with explosive sudden movements. An athlete with lateral movement who can bend and turn the corner. Quick on stunts with good screen awareness. Strong, violent, powerful hands to control his blocker. An explosive hard-hitting tackler who doesn’t give ground. Strong pull and jerk strength. Quick to separate from a blocker. A dominant and aggressive inside player who has the ability to run through a ball carrier. Can neutralize and hold the point of attack. Plays with urgency and gets through traffic to make an impact play. The scheme diverse tackle/end combination has tenacious pass rush moves including arm over, rip, upper cut, pull and jerk. He’s a two move guy who excels at stunts. Allen has a vertical push outside speed component to his game. Can turn speed to power. Has counter moves to enhance his game. In a league where match-ups are constantly trying to be exploited by defensive coordinators, Allen can be a fit into any scheme. His short area quickness, power, and overall awareness can win most one-on-one situations. He can do the dirty work but also get plenty done behind the line of scrimmage. He is not a traditional edge rusher or interior defender, thus he shouldn’t be treated as one. With the right coach, Allen can be a star. Has moderate arthritis in both shoulders. 2016 stats: 69 T, 16 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 15 QBH, 3 FR, 1 BK. Edge speed:left 2.21, right 2.05. OSR:37/40 for DE. First round. (A-33 5/ 8, H-9 3/8, BP-21, 10-1.72).