Summary

Zach Allen was selected in Round 3 (#65 Overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Boston College. Allen finished his Boston College career with 173 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and multiple passes defended, earning Second-Team All-ACC honors. In the NFL, Allen has developed into a dependable and ascending interior defensive lineman / base end with the Arizona Cardinals before earning a big free agent pay day with the Broncos. Through the 2024 season, Allen has appeared in 80+ career games, recording 15+ career sacks, 40+ tackles for loss, 50+ QB hits, and consistent pressure production that often outpaces his sack totals. His role has expanded in Denver into a high-snap, tone-setting trench defender who plays with physicality and discipline. Allen is widely regarded as a high-character, professional, and team-first worker who is praised for toughness, consistency, preparation habits, and willingness to handle dirty-work roles that enable others to make plays.

Strengths

• Versatility: Can play 3-tech, 4i/5-tech, and reduce inside on passing downs. An extremely underrated player who generates pressures even when sacks don’t show it.

• Edgy: Strong edge-setting ability and disciplined gap control. Recognizes blocking schemes, screens, and run concepts quickly.

• Hand Fighter: Active hands, good placement and works blocks with solid punch and technique. High-energy player who wins with persistence and conditioning.

• Bull Rusher: Converts strength into pocket collapse to constantly walk guards back. Plays with good pad level for his frame and is rarely on the ground.

Weaknesses

• Elite Burst: More power-and-motor than true sudden first-step penetrator, although he is much more athletic than many give him credit for.

• Length vs. Top Tackles: Can be controlled by elite length when aligned outside. His double team anchor is solid, but can be neutralized by well-timed doubles in the run game.

• Explosive Change of Direction: Not a twitchy interior rusher who wins with sudden counters.

• High-Snap Wear: Heavy usage can reduce late-game explosiveness without rotation support.

Outlook

Allen is a marquee fit for Denver’s front due to his ability to play multiple techniques and stabilize both run defense and pass-rush integrity. He profiles as a high-snap defensive end in base looks who can kick inside as a pass-rushing 3-tech in sub-packages, creating matchup stress against guards and centers. His presence allows Denver to maintain toughness and discipline up front while still generating interior push without needing constant blitz pressure. As his career continues, Allen projects as a reliable long-term starter with above-average impact. One of the more underrated players in the league, Allen may not lead the league in sacks but consistently elevates a defensive front through effort, versatility, and physical consistency. If paired with a true explosive interior penetrator, Allen’s value increases even more because he can serve as the stabilizing piece that wins with power, pursuit, and assignment discipline. His floor is high due to durability and professionalism, and his ceiling rises in defenses that maximize his inside-out usage.