Washington Redskins select Jonathan Allen
With the 17th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Jonathan Allen out of the University of Alabama.
Allen is the best defensive lineman in this class, with the only concern being his potentially arthritic shoulders. Provided he holds up physically, there is nothing not to like about this pick. At the University of Alabama, Allen was one of the most dominant — if not the most dominant – players in the nation.
Nick Saban’s team went to consecutive National Championship Games, mostly because of a defense that crushed the competition. Allen was the best defender on the team, something of a feat considering he shared the field with Reuben Foster, Marlon Humphrey and Tim Williams.
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 286
40-time: 5.00
Bench: 21 reps
Vertical: 30”
Broad: 108”
3-cone: 7.49
Everything about Allen’s game has polish. He gets up the field against the pass but shows incredible recognition on screen passes. Against the run, Allen is nothing short of a bull between the tackles, able to eat up blocks or fire through a gap to make the tackle.
Provided the medical issues keep themselves in check, Allen could be the next Gerald McCoy. His power and burst are undeniable, helping to explain why he was named a first-team All-America. He also won the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards, signifying his status as college’s best defensive player in 2016.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
The Washington Redskins have to be thrilled that Allen fell so far. He’s going to be one of the more athletics defensive ends in the league from the jump, provided his shoulders hold up.