The Denver Broncos came within inches-well, a field goal-of punching their ticket to the Super Bowl. That kind of postseason run usually signals a roster that’s more polished than patchwork. But even the most well-rounded teams have a few soft spots, and for Denver, linebacker might be one of them.
With that in mind, the Broncos’ first-round mock draft projection from beat reporter Nick Kosmider raised some eyebrows this week. Slotted at No. 30 overall, Denver is projected to take Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.
On the surface, it’s a bit of a curveball, especially for a team that many fans believe should be targeting offensive firepower. But when you dig into the state of the linebacker room, the pick starts to make a little more sense.
Inside Linebacker: Quiet Need, Loud Implications
Linebacker might not scream “urgent need” for Denver, but there’s more going on beneath the surface. Veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both heading into free agency, and while the Broncos have locked up several key defenders, those two remain question marks.
Then there’s Dre Greenlaw, a high-upside addition who didn’t quite pan out. His underwhelming performance, coupled with the fact that Denver could free up $6 million in cap space by moving on, makes his future with the team uncertain at best. Add in the injury woes of Drew Sanders-who’s flashed potential but struggled to stay on the field-and you’ve got a linebacker corps that could use a little more stability and long-term upside.
Enter CJ Allen: Young, Productive, and Still Growing
Allen brings a lot to the table. At just 20 years old, he already has the production of a seasoned vet.
Across three seasons at Georgia, he racked up 205 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. That’s not just active-that’s disruptive.
He plays fast, diagnoses plays quickly, and has a knack for being around the football. And while he’s not the finished product yet, his youth means there’s still plenty of room for physical and technical growth. In a system like Denver’s-where veterans can help bring him along-Allen could develop into a cornerstone piece on the second level.
Why Not Offense?
Look, Broncos fans have a point. The offense sputtered late in the season, especially after J.K.
Dobbins went down with a Lisfranc injury against Houston. The run game never fully recovered, and with Dobbins' future in Denver still up in the air, there’s a clear need at running back.
Wide receiver is also a position that could use some juice.
But with how this draft class is shaping up, Denver might feel confident that they can find value at those skill positions later on. Taking Allen in the first round could give them the flexibility to re-sign one of their veteran linebackers on a short-term deal while letting Allen acclimate to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
Bottom Line
CJ Allen may not be the flashy pick. He’s not going to light up highlight reels the way a star wideout or explosive running back might.
But this is a smart, forward-thinking move. The Broncos are building with a long-term lens, and Allen gives them a physical, instinctive linebacker who can grow into a major contributor-maybe even a defensive leader down the line.
Denver’s roster doesn’t need a full overhaul. It needs a few well-placed reinforcements. And if Allen turns out to be the kind of player Georgia coaches and NFL scouts believe he can be, the Broncos might be quietly plugging one of their few remaining holes before it becomes a real problem.