2019 Senior Bowl: 5 players to watch
By Joe Romano
![MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: General wide angle view of the Reese's Senior Bowl logo on January 30, 2016 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: General wide angle view of the Reese's Senior Bowl logo on January 30, 2016 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/588f9e6819f74d49713a268990cf1021a6dcd195f3c6f292770ca73c56fe41a7.jpg)
Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
Last year the Senior Bowl saw the NFL Draft’s first overall pick in Baker Mayfield shine. While this year’s first overall pick is likely to be Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa, is not eligible for the game, the player that has been mocked the most behind him is. Kentucky’s Josh Allen is looking to cap off his meteoric rise up draft boards with a solid week in Mobile.
Allen entered the season with some draft buzz, but not the level he is receiving now. After the 2017-18 season the senior decided to really put the time in to work on his game. What came to fruition was a do-it all defender that has been dominant in every game this year. Allen is a work horse on the edge. He brings a natural feel for the position with explosive athleticism and a non-stop motor.
The 6-foot-4 nearly 260 pound edge rusher lined up all over Kentucky’s defense, who clearly understood what they had in him. He is at his best when he’s able to utilize his speed/bend combination to attack the quarterback. While there is still room for him to get better, Allen should be seen as a top-10 prospect in this class and elevated by the position he plays. NFL teams will always look for players that consistently play hard and can get to the quarterback.
There will be attempts to put Allen over Bosa after this week, especially with a dominant performance. That noise will dwindle as the combine nears. However, for this week in Mobile, Allen will have plenty of eyes on him.