Miami Dolphins: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft with one week to go
After working on their offensive with their first two picks, the Miami Dolphins go to the defensive side of the ball in the third round, snagging Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen. Miami needs an infusion of talent up front and drafting a versatile player like Allen could really prove to be valuable for this team.
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Allen is never going to be mistaken for a freak athlete up front. He is relatively limited athletically, but he is a hard-nosed player who consistently makes the most out of his talent.
Typically winning with physicality and effort, Allen is a tremendous run defender who shows the ability to defend in both one and two-gap systems. He can hold his own with solid functional strength and also has enough short-area quickness to occasionally knife through the offensive line and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He is an extremely smart player who reads the opposing offense well and is a real asset in pursuit due to his consistent motor.
Allen’s lack of athleticism does limit him as a pass rusher, but he shows impressive overall hand usage and a violent punch that allows him to create pressure at times. he has some upside as a power rusher at the next level, but he must expand his pass rush repertoire in order to keep NFL offensive linemen off balance.
Simply put, Allen is a smart and hard-working player who has shown the ability to play both inside and outside on the defensive line. He does have limited upside, but he is a rock-solid player who should be a positive contributor for many years.