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2017 NFL Draft watch: Jonathan Allen

By Will Lomas

Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) reacts after tackling Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) reacts after tackling Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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There isn’t a lot of news going on in the NFL right now and instead of forcing some new content out there, I think it would be fun to look at some big names in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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There are a lot of different ways to look at the 2017 NFL Draft. You can look at a player for the Tennessee Titans and their two 1st round draft picks. You can look for a player who might be a concern in the division. You can look at a player who is a lock to go to a team projected to have a higher pick like the Cleveland Browns. You can even look at a player from a value standpoint to see what the Titans could get in a trade if he was still available at their pick.

So, no player is off limits so just sit back and enjoy reading up on the top players in the 2017 NFL Draft and plan your college television viewing schedule to accommodate the players you want to see most.

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    • Who?

    Jonathan Allen is a player that most people prepping for the 2016 NFL Draft know and love. He was highly regarded last year, (and rightfully so) but he decided to go back to school and finish his education alongside his fellow defensive standout Tim Williams.

    Where Williams suffers from being a rotational player hoping to see more time, no one really knows why Allen went back. He had done everything a the college level that you could want, but he did and now we are here.

    What does he do well?

    Allen is one of those players where it is really fun to write this section. First off, let’s start with the fact that whatever you believe about A’Shawn Robinson or Jarran Reed, Jonathan Allen is the guy that made that defensive line run in every phase of the game.

    As a run blocker, he is great at staying low and using his hands to engage blockers before they punch him. He plays all over the line and does it well, which is huge for a DL who doesn’t have a huge frame.

    As a pass rusher, Jonathan Allen is also one of the top at his position. He has a mean push-pull move as a pass rusher that just devastates some good collegiate linemen. He also has a very good swim move that is hard for guards to defend against.

    When he isn’t lined up on guards, he is too strong and explosive for offensive tackles. He also doesn’t look out of position there with his ability to get the edge and secure it like a normal edge player.

    Where does he need to improve?

    It would be great to see him become a dominant 3-tech instead of being moved around. Now that he has shown he CAN do it, it is time for Nick Saban to put him in one spot and make him the cornerstone of that defense.

    Being around 6’3″ around 280 lb. he really doesn’t have a great chance at being an elite edge rusher in the NFL. However, many argue that in a 4-3 defense (his best fit) it is the 3-tech that makes the defense work, not the RDE.

    Let him be dominant at one thing, and force offenses to leave Tim Williams on an island. Make them decide how to block the blitzing linebacker next to him. I don’t care what else you do, just let Jonathan Allen become and elite 3-tech in the league of Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy.

    Does he fit with the Tennessee Titans?

    Yes and no.

    Is he a dominant pass rusher that can be effective in multiple fronts? Absolutely. However, the Tennessee Titans already have that guy in Jurrell Casey.

    Now, they could have both of those guys on the field at the same time and have a dominant pass rush that includes Allen, Jurrell Casey, Austin Johnson, Brian Orakpo, and Derrick Morgan. That doesn’t even include players like Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard blitzing, or Kevin Dodd coming off of the bench.

    However, on a team that needs playmakers  in the secondary and explosive players on the outside of the offense, can you afford to take him very early?

    I tend to think yes, but it isn’t as cut-and-dry as you may think, and DaQuan Jones has the potential to really take a big step forward this year anyway.

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    Potential selection range?

    Right now I don’t see how he drops out of the top-12. I really liked Sheldon Rankins (who went #12th overall to the New Orleans Saints) last year, but I think Jonathan Allen is clearly a better player.

    Last year, I think he would have been a dream pick to a team like Dallas (4th) or Chicago (9th) and he should fall in that range this year.

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