The Dallas Cowboys made headlines when they traded star defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season. The absence of Parsons left a noticeable gap in the Cowboys' defense, prompting them to seek reinforcements in the linebacker department.
As the Cowboys look to the future, Georgia linebacker CJ Allen has emerged as a potential solution. According to The Athletic's mock draft, Allen is projected to be the Cowboys' choice this year.
His presence could revitalize a linebacker corps that struggled significantly last season. The prospect of pairing Allen with DeMarvion Overshown, assuming he remains healthy, offers a glimpse of a promising defensive duo.
Allen's college career at Georgia was nothing short of impressive, racking up 205 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss. His performance has caught the eye of NFL analysts, though there are some concerns about his game.
NFL analyst Erick Trickel has highlighted Allen's strengths as a downhill defender, but also pointed out his lack of length, which could impact his tackling and coverage abilities. Despite this, Allen's football IQ and instincts shine through, traits that are crucial for success at the NFL level. His play strength compensates for some of the length issues, making him a formidable presence on the field.
Trickel notes that while Allen might not close down passing lanes with his reach, his strength and instincts help mitigate those concerns. If this were the early 2000s, Allen would easily be a top-10 linebacker, but he now faces the challenge of proving that his length won't hinder him in today's game.
In another prediction, SI analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the Denver Broncos selecting Allen with the No. 30 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This adds an intriguing twist to the draft narrative, as teams weigh Allen's potential against his perceived limitations.
As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on how the Cowboys and other teams navigate their options, with Allen's name likely to be a key talking point in war rooms across the league.