Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 4
By Peter Smith
Round 2: Zach Allen, DE, Boston College – 6-4.375, 280 lbs. (Senior Bowl)
- 47 solo tackles (9.7 percent), 15.5 tackles for loss (20.3 percent), 6 sacks (23 percent) in 2017.
From a production standpoint, Allen is top of the line in terms of solo tackles and tackles for loss, but is a little lacking when it comes to sacks, at least as an edge rusher. Allen led his team that season, but it wasn’t the stud pas rushing impact one would hope for, which is interesting as the comp that stands out for him, Cameron Jordan, had the same issue coming out of Cal. Jordan’s best year in terms of sacks was 2009 when he recorded six sacks, which was 20 percent of Cal’s total. This also gives some idea of the neighborhood Allen needs to hit in terms of athletic testing.
Obviously, Jordan has developed into an excellent pass rusher and has been one of the most consistent defensive linemen in the league for most of his career. Starting his career across from Will Smith with the New Orleans Saints, Jordan became the featured threat in that group. The hope is that Allen can have a similar path playing across from Myles Garrett.
Allen is a tremendously sound run defender and can collapse the pocket as a defensive end, but he has experience and the size to play inside in passing situations, which could be an option for him to impact the quarterback as a pass rush.
Allen is more of a power player on the outside. He’s got great strength and good hands out there, able to stack and shed effectively. He will occasionally fool offensive tackles with speed, but that’s not really his game. His quickness and first step do look more viable when he’s lined up on the interior. He can run stunts, beat opponents to their spot and shoot gaps. When he slides inside, Genard Avery presumably comes down and the Browns get more athletic up front.
Allen also has the ability to knock down passes. As a senior, Allen was able to deflect seven of them after getting three his junior year. He’s a player that just finds ways to disrupt an offense. Last but certainly not least, Allen is also a player that helps on special teams and is someone with a couple blocked kicks this season and another one in the Senior Bowl.
Best Option Not Taken: Kelvin Harmon, WR, N.C. State