Zach Allen’s rise in Denver is starting to show up where it matters most: in the way NFL decision-makers talk about defensive tackles.
The Broncos’ standout interior lineman earned a spot at No. 8 in ESPN’s top 10 defensive tackle rankings, a list compiled from votes by coaches, scouts and executives around the league. It’s a notable jump in recognition for Allen, who broke through with his first First-Team All-Pro nod last season and heads into 2026 still very much in the middle of Denver’s defensive plans.
The top of the list went to Leonard Williams, Jeffery Simmons and Jalen Carter, in that order. Allen didn’t crack the top five, but he did get enough support to land firmly inside the group, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler pointed to the traits that have made him such a problem for opposing offenses.
“Allen finally cracked the top 10 after an impressive run in Denver,” Fowler writes. “It's hard to ignore his pass-rush prowess, as his 131 quarterback hits since 2022 are eight more than the next-closest player, Myles Garrett.
And Allen's 117 pressures during that span rank third most among interior defensive linemen. He can finish the backfield too, with 15.5 sacks over the past two seasons.”
Fowler also noted that Allen’s game is built more on disruption than brute force against the run. Even so, the Broncos came away satisfied with what he gave them in that area last season.
“Allen is known more for that get-off than his ability to stop the run, as he'll occasionally give up yards by shooting a gap to try to make a play in the backfield. But he's not incapable as a run stopper, either. The Broncos were pleased with his performance in that area last season.”
That same burst off the ball drew praise from an anonymous NFL personnel director, who backed up the idea that Allen’s motor is a big part of what makes him so effective.
“His get-off and his relentless effort make him productive,” an NFL personnel director said. “He's really good in those two areas.”
The ranking still leaves room for debate. Allen was a First-Team All-Pro last season and played a major role in a Broncos front seven that was among the league’s best overall, so there are plenty of people who would argue he belongs even higher than eighth.
The vote spread showed that split clearly. One voter placed Allen as high as third, while others left him off the board entirely.
Still, moving from an honorable mention type of name to a clear top-10 slot is a meaningful step for Allen, and it reflects the broader respect Denver’s defense is earning. The Broncos’ pass rush piled up more than 60 sacks as a unit in 2025, and Allen was a central piece of that production.
If he puts together another season like the one he just had, the case for a top-five spot next time around will be a lot harder to ignore.
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