Jonathan Allen: Atlanta Falcons draft profile

Jonathan Allen starred on the 2015 National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide defense. Might the Atlanta Falcons target the defensive end with the No. 17 pick?

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s star defensive end Jonathan Allen has been a fast climber up the 2016 NFL Draft board. His great play for the Tide in both games of the College Football Playoff have moved him up from a certain second-round pick to a pass rusher capable of going in the mid-teens of the 2016 NFL Draft. Would the Atlanta Falcons target Jonathan Allen with their No. 17 overall pick this spring’s draft?

The Atlanta Falcons still need a piece or two to help get their pass rush in their 4-3 Under defensive scheme on track in 2016. Allen was a first-team All-SEC selection in his junior season and could provide the Atlanta Falcons with a versatile pass rusher, potentially available with their No. 17 overall selection.

CBSSports.com says that Jonathan Allen “provides versatility on the defensive line with is ability to create pressure from the inside or outside, rushing off the edge or moving inside as a three-technique penetrator.”

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It sounds like Allen would thrive in a traditional 3-4 defensive alignment, but since Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn’s 4-3 Under Base essentially acts like a 3-4 because of the obvious shift, Allen could fit perfectly as the versatile defensive end the scheme needs.

Atlanta Falcons fans had their eyes on Alabama’s strong inside linebacker Reggie Ragland in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, but undoubtedly became increasingly aware of how great of a player Jonathan Allen was for the Crimson Tide down the stretch.

While it seems that Allen can get after the quarterback from both the edge to the three-technique on the defensive line, he may struggle as a run stuffer in his first few years in the league, as CBSSports.com says he needs to become “a more consistent finisher as a tackler, especially in space.”

This could limit Allen’s ability to become an every-down pass rusher for the Atlanta Falcons, as head coach Dan Quinn won’t play a guy that can run stuff on first and second downs.

Allen’s measurements are 6’3″, 283 pounds, so he could end up playing either defensive end or defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. His in-between size on the defensive line could aid in the Falcons’ interest of him, as Quinn likes players on his defense that can play multiple positions, thus increasing his value for them at No. 17.

Jonathan Allen like Clemson’s Kevin Dodd are rapidly climbing up NFL Draft boards from their play in the College Football Playoff. However, players like Alabama’s Reggie Ragland, Clemson’s Shaq Lawson, and Ole Miss’ Robert Nkemdiche has been in the first round of draft boards for most of the 2015 NCAA season.

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Going with a player like Allen at No. 17 makes sense as he satisfies a need on the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive line. However, Atlanta will likely have a handful of players further up their draft board than Jonathan Allen. Then again, Atlanta would certainly find value with going with Allen at No. 17 in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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