CJ Allen 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Georgia has been a factory for NFL defensive prospects, in particular at linebacker. Roquan Smith, Leonard Floyd, and Jalon Walker were all top-15 selections in their respective draft classes. The next premier linebacker prospect coming out of Athens is CJ Allen. Allen has emerged as one of the best players at his position, having a breakout 2025 season. He is the anchor in the middle of Kirby Smart’s defense that hopes to repeat as SEC champions. Allen has entered the discussion for the best linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. His talent is undeniable, but how early can he hear his name called in April?

2026 NFL Draft: CJ Allen Player Profile

Background

Allen was a four-star recruit and the fourth-ranked linebacker in the Class of 2023. After playing high school football at Lamar County (Georgia), he stayed in the Peach State and committed to Georgia. He appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman, racking up 41 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two passes defended. His lone sack in 2023 came against Ole Miss. Allen became a prominent piece of the Bulldogs defense in 2024, starting 12 games as a sophomore. He saw an increase in production, having 76 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and four passes defended. Allen also had a critical interception late in the fourth quarter to seal the win against arch-rival Florida.

While Allen proved to be a reliable player at linebacker, the sack production wasn’t there through two seasons. That has changed so far in 2025, as he has three sacks in six games compared to just one sack over his first two years. Allen is having his best season yet, compiling 46 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in the first half of his junior year. One of those forced fumbles was a momentum-changing play on the goal line against Auburn.

Strengths

Allen has incredible speed for his position, having excellent range to cover long distances to make tackles. His frame is ideal for a modern linebacker, measuring at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. He is a reliable tackler who consistently brings down ball carriers. The biggest strength in his game is his run defense. Allen is an instinctual player who reads gaps well and usually finds a way to the running back. He has shown dramatic improvement as a pass rusher and has the closing speed to get sacks.

Weaknesses

The only major area of concern for Allen is in coverage. This can limit his impact on passing downs when asked to line up against running backs or tight ends. While he has improved as a pass rusher, a larger sample size of high sack production can further improve his draft stock.

Overview

Allen is a blue-chip talent who has been a standout on one of the best defenses in college football. His combination of athleticism, instincts, and tackling makes him an elite player against the run. If he can continue his current trajectory as a pass rusher while improving in coverage, he will be one of the most complete players in this class. Georgia has a long track record of sending talent to the NFL, especially on defense. Allen currently projects as a late first-round pick, but with how he’s been playing, he can be selected even earlier.