CJ Allen is a linebacker from Georgia who is ranked No. 28 on my NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board. This comprehensive scouting report analyzes Allen’s draft potential, current mock draft trends, and where he ranks among the top prospects.
CJ Allen’s NFL Draft Potential
CJ Allen isn’t as big or long as most other LBs in the early-round range, but he’s simply a good football player who has the skills that transfer on Sundays. Athletically, Allen is quick, amped-up, and explosive on the attack, and he has the speed and range to cover ground to the sideline, or drop in coverage on seam routes or into Tampa 2 zones.
Allen’s burst can be weaponized as a blitzer up gaps, or as a breaker on short curls and hitches, and his rapid play pace and fast processing magnifies his utility as a responder. Allen’s take-on technique can still be inconsistent, as he doesn’t have the high-end length to consistently control blocks. Nevertheless, Allen is a well-rounded two-phase, three-down LB with definite starting ability as a MIKE or WILL.
CFB Week 9 Update
The Georgia Bulldogs were on a bye in Week 9, but they’ll return to the fold against a middling Florida Gators team in Week 10. Florida’s passing game remains unimpressive with DJ Lagway’s underlying volatility, but Florida’s top running back Jadan Baugh reached 150 yards on the ground in Florida’s last contest against Mississippi State.
Allen is the soul of the Bulldogs’ second-level defense, and his coverage play should prove stifling for middle-field concepts, but he’ll need to make sure he properly engages and deconstructs run blocks against Florida’s explosive, physical front. That’s the main deficiency of Allen’s profile, and where he can take the next step as a prospect.
CFB Week 10 Update
Allen had a high preseason grade and ranking, but he’s somehow risen further as other LBs in the class have stagnated or fallen. Allen was once again exceptional in Week 10 against the Florida Gators. He racked up a team-leading 13 total tackles and was always around the ball.
In flat pursuit, he was fast-flowing, with the range to erase paths upfield, and between the tackles, he used his patience, fast gap processing, and rapid, relentless trigger to manage and shoot through gaps, limiting gains on inside runs. At just 6’1″, 235 pounds, Allen is around average size at his position, but he’s such a sound three-down player and such a strong functional athlete that he holds up, nonetheless. It’s unclear how high he’ll go, but he’ll likely remain a Top 50 prospect for me.
CFB Week 11 Update
Allen’s tape in 2025 has been excellent, and his showing against Mississippi State in Week 11 was more of the same. Allen was dutiful and spatially disciplined in coverage, and he was fast-flowing in sideline defense, while effectively engaging blocks and using his targeted physicality to stay clean.
That targeted physicality has been a sticking point for Allen, who doesn’t have the same length that other LBs do – but in Week 11, he was effective in using well-timed punches and scrapes to get clear of blocks and stay active in pursuit.
CFB Week 12 Update
Allen left Georgia’s Week 12 game against Texas in the second quarter with a knee injury, but one full quarter was all Allen needed to make an impact — notching a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. According to head coach Kirby Smart, Allen is week-to-week, and the hope is that he’ll be 100% by Georgia’s potential conference title appearance and CFB Playoff berth.
Where Is Allen Being Selected Most Often in the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator?
Mock draft data for CJ Allen is not currently available. Check back for updated MDS information as we get closer to the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Where Does CJ Allen Rank Amongst Other NFL Draft Prospects?
Allen is currently ranked No. 28 overall in my November 2026 NFL Draft Big Board. Among LB prospects, Allen ranks 2nd at the position, trailing Sonny Styles. As a first-round caliber prospect, Allen is among the top-tier players in this draft class.
Want to see how we rank all the draft prospects in the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator? Check out our NFL Draft Prospect Rankings page, which includes more than 750 prospects.
