Georgia linebacker CJ Allen has been a late riser as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. Less than a week out, he has put himself in first-round consideration, according to EssentiallySports’ Tony Pauline.
Allen, 21, did not participate in athletic testing at the Combine or Georgia’s pro day. But this week, he worked out for scouts and rank a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, Pauline adds, despite being just “months removed from knee surgery.” That gave scouts more confidence in his recovery and athleticism, which firmed up his spot as the third-ranked linebacker on most big boards.
Pauline previously mocked Allen to the Bills and adds the Buccaneers and Cowboys as other options. Those teams would trade back from their No. 15 and No. 20 picks, respectively, to select him.
The Bills need to find a long-term replacement for veteran inside linebacker Matt Milano, who hit free agency this offseason after nine season in Buffalo. The current starters would be Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, but Williams is entering the final year of his contract. Allen would be a long-term running mate for Bernard who would likely succeed him as the Bills’ primary inside linebacker.
The Buccaneers are in a very similar situation. They saw Lavonte David announce his retirement this offseason. Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom were signed as immediate veteran replacements, but SirVocea Dennis is on an expiring deal. Again, Allen would come in and push Anzalone or Dennis for playing time with a long-term projection as a high-level starter.
The Cowboy do not have a clear starter next to DeMarvion Overshown, who is entering the last year of his contract, too. He is a candidate to be extended, but, as in Buffalo and Tampa Bay, Allen could be an instant No. 2 who takes over as the top spot in the future.
The one significant drawback of selecting Allen in the first round is the loss of value on his fifth-year option. Currently, off-ball/inside linebackers are grouped with outside linebackers for the NFL’s positional designations relating to contracts. As a result, inside linebacker fifth-year option values are based on the salaries of the league’s top edge rushers, who are significantly more expensive. That means the fifth-year option for linebackers is inflated and therefore not worth picking up.
Allen also met virtually with the Texans, Eagles, and Seahawks, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Lavonte David retired he didn’t sign elsewhere
Hey they were close!
I was extremely confused by that, too. I looked him up, trying to figure that out.
I’d be surprised if he isn’t at least a good starting linebacker by year three (in this era I’m rarely of ever counting on an off ball linebacker to be fully good right awaY). Very reasonable guy to take in the late first in a not so great draft.
Imagine if Styles stayed at Georgia…
Styles at Georgia?
I’m stupid. Dumb mistake. I meant if Allen stayed at Georgia, in regards to the thin ILB class. My stupid, idiotic mistake.
As off-ball linebacker classes go, I think this one is actually pretty strong. One legit top ten pick and at least one more justifiable first round pick. I think Rodriguez is close to that range, too. Hill and Trotter both have some maturing to do as players, but both could be very good, though maybe not true inside guys. Some other guys like Elarms-Orr, Elliot, or Boettcher with a shot to be decent starters. Kyle Louis rules, but he’ll likely be a safety hybrid piece.
Hah, good points. You’re right, I’m wrong to call it thin. I suppose I’m stuck in the first, which is a terrible mistake. I swear I never thought I’d see the day where Oof sings the praises of an off-ball linebacker class, though.
I like Rodriguez, and he could be a late first sort of player, but I don’t see much chance that we get an off-ball inside backer run in the first. I’d love it, don’t get me wrong, because I actually think that the position is undervalued, but if Allen doesn’t go that high, and Rodriguez doesn’t, it’s hard to see what could be a deep class (as you said) also being a highly drafted one. Those guys could all be good, but I think that we’d be surprised to see more than two at most go in the first.
If Allen wasn’t in the class, the only player that I could see staking that claim is Rodriguez (who’s been subject of a few 30 meetings). Rodriguez is almost sized to be a big safety, but his ball skills and instincts mean that he could go inside or end up as an OLB in a 4-3 base easily (Buffalo’s Milano replacement? Does Tampa want to try to do the same for David?). Linebackers who are good in coverage are extremely rare, and adapt better to today’s heavy passing game, which should help Rodriguez’s value.
Trotter has the pedigree and youth, and Hill might be the steal of the draft considering the fact that he could be behind three other players, despite his tape. Hill forces fumbles, which I love at the second level, and has experience in a successful system.
Because of how undervalued this position is, I don’t see these guys going as highly as should. I think they’ll all get picked, but without Allen, I only see Rodriguez as a probable first rounder. It’s unfortunate for the position, but it’d what I think will happen.
CJ Allen in a small trade down from #20 from the Boyz would be ideal. Few picks 3-6 and grab him I wouldn’t be mad at all.