CJ Allen: The Heart of Georgia’s Defense Could Be the Answer for NFL Teams in Need of a Game-Changer at Linebacker
When you talk about linebackers who just get it-who read the play before it happens, who lead with both their voice and their pads-you’re talking about CJ Allen. The Georgia standout was one of the premier defenders in college football last season, and now he’s headed to the 2026 NFL Draft with a résumé that commands attention and a playing style that demands respect.
At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen doesn’t just fit the mold of a modern Mike linebacker-he breaks it. In 2025, he was the engine of a Georgia defense loaded with talent, racking up 88 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. He was a Butkus Award finalist for a reason: he’s relentless, instinctive, and always around the football.
Allen’s game is built on sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the run. He diagnoses plays with the kind of anticipation you can’t teach and finishes with authority. Whether he’s slipping past blockers to blow up a run in the backfield or timing a blitz perfectly to get home on the quarterback, Allen plays with a controlled aggression that coaches love and offenses fear.
Now, he’s not a finished product-few prospects are. Coverage is the area where Allen still has room to grow.
He’s got the speed to run with tight ends and running backs, but there’s some stiffness in his hips that shows up when he’s asked to flip and cover in space. That said, his instincts in zone coverage help offset some of that, and with NFL coaching, there’s every reason to believe he can become a more well-rounded three-down linebacker.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Allen ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in this year’s draft, and he didn’t hold back in his praise. Jeremiah called Allen a “productive, intelligent playmaker” and highlighted his ability to take on blocks, fly to the football, and strike with force. “He’s an explosive striker on ball-carriers with a high batting average as a tackler,” Jeremiah noted-music to the ears of any team looking to shore up the middle of their defense.
Allen isn’t just a stat sheet stuffer-he’s a tone-setter. A leader.
The kind of player who brings energy to the huddle and accountability to the locker room. That’s why he’s expected to come off the board late in the first round, and why several teams should already be circling his name.
Here are three NFL teams that make a lot of sense for CJ Allen-and why he could be the missing piece in their defensive puzzle.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are staring down a pivotal offseason, especially at linebacker. Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson are both set to hit free agency, and even if one returns, Buffalo has to start thinking long-term. That’s where Allen fits in perfectly.
Whether he steps in as Milano’s immediate replacement or lines up next to the veteran as a successor-in-waiting, Allen brings the kind of juice Buffalo’s defense needs. This is a unit that’s been good-but adding a downhill thumper with Allen’s range and leadership could take them to another level. He’d bring fresh legs, fresh fire, and a high football IQ to a defense that’s already built to contend.
Other first-round options for Buffalo include wide receivers like Denzel Boston or Zachariah Branch, or an edge rusher like T.J. Parker-but if they want to build from the middle out, Allen might be their guy.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick and are widely expected to go quarterback-but don’t sleep on what they do in the second round. With key veterans like Devin White and Jamal Adams potentially on the way out, Vegas needs a new defensive leader. CJ Allen could be that guy.
He’s the kind of player who could walk into the Raiders’ locker room and immediately command respect. If Maxx Crosby is no longer part of the picture, Allen’s presence becomes even more important.
He brings a sense of urgency and direction to a defense that’s been searching for consistency. In a division loaded with offensive firepower, Allen’s ability to read and react could be a huge asset.
Denver Broncos
Denver already boasts a strong defense, but there’s a clear need at inside linebacker-especially if Alex Singleton departs in free agency. The Broncos are picking late in the first round, and if Allen is still on the board, this could be a home-run pick.
With a defense that’s solid across the board, Allen wouldn’t have to do it all himself. He could step into a system that plays to his strengths: letting him roam, react, and lead.
His football IQ and vocal leadership would fit right in with a team that prides itself on defensive discipline. And in the altitude of Mile High, Allen’s motor and sideline-to-sideline speed would be on full display.
The Bottom Line
CJ Allen isn’t just another linebacker prospect-he’s the kind of player who changes the temperature of a defense. He’s a plug-and-play starter with Pro Bowl upside, especially if he lands with a team that knows how to develop his coverage skills and unleash his instincts.
Whether it’s Buffalo, Vegas, Denver, or a surprise suitor, Allen’s name will be called early-and whichever team lands him will be getting more than just a tackler. They’ll be getting a leader, a tone-setter, and a player who’s ready to make an immediate impact on Sundays.