2019 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

7. Josh Allen, OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars

2019 Stats: 44 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

All things considered, the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t have asked for much more out of Josh Allen during his rookie campaign. Drafted to bolster their pass rush, the former Kentucky star did exactly that — evidenced by the fact that he led all rookies in sacks with 10.5 on the year.

With that said, there is still room for improvement moving forward. For the most part, the Jaguars used Allen is a situational pass rusher during the 2019 season. He wasn’t an every-down player, which he will need to become if he wants to truly live up to his draft billing as a game-changing edge player.

On top of that, Allen will also need to improve his effectiveness against the run. As his strength increases and he learns how to better beat blockers at the NFL level, that should allow him to emerge as someone who can make plays as both a pass rusher and run stuffer. For the time being, though, we need to see better work in the latter department.

Still, don’t get me wrong here. Allen was a force as a rookie and should continue to make his mark as a quarterback hunter. He figures to remain a consistent threat to notch double-digit sacks, and could soon emerge as one of the NFL’s most dangerous edge defenders.

Grade: A-