The Denver Broncos made a significant commitment to their defense by signing standout lineman Zach Allen to a 3-year, $47.75 million contract in March 2023. Since then, Allen has quietly emerged as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL, delivering exactly what the team hoped for.
Allen is off to a strong start in 2024, playing a crucial role in the Broncos’ defense, which has been one of the league’s best. He currently leads the NFL in a key but often overlooked statistic.
“No interior defender has more pressures this season than Allen’s 11,” noted Khlaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus (PFF) ahead of Denver’s Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets on September 29.
Allen also ranks third in the NFL with 3.0 sacks, according to PFF, and appears to be on track for his first Pro Bowl selection in his sixth NFL season.
Zach Allen’s Rise to Elite Status
Allen’s journey to becoming an elite defensive player began at Boston College, where he earned All-ACC honors in 2018. Drafted in the third round (No. 65 overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, he was known for his relentless motor, toughness, and football instincts.
“Hard-charging defensive end who uses quickness, strength, and great instincts to offset his lack of length and athleticism,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said in his pre-draft assessment. “Allen’s toughness and ability to quickly diagnose plays could make him an early contributor against the run, though his pass-rushing limitations may push him inside on passing downs.”
As a rookie, Allen quickly became a starter for the Cardinals but suffered a neck injury in Week 4 that ended his season. He shifted from defensive end to tackle in 2020, becoming a full-time starter at defensive end in 2021. His breakout season came in 2022 when he recorded 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss (TFL), and 20 quarterback hits in just 13 games—the best performance of his four-year, $4.75 million rookie contract.
In his first season with the Broncos, Allen played every regular-season game, marking the first time he’d done so in his five-year career. He tallied 60 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8 TFL, and 24 quarterback hits, solidifying his position as a key piece of Denver’s defense.
Learning From a Legend
During his time in Arizona, Allen had the opportunity to play alongside three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, who became a mentor to him.
“I can only say great things about J.J.,” Allen shared with NFL.com after signing with the Broncos. “I learned a lot from him on and off the field, and we had a great chemistry. Even now, I’m still picking his brain for advice—he’s even helping me choose furniture for my new house.”
Broncos’ Defense Faces a Challenge
The Broncos will lean even more on Allen in 2024 after a major setback on defense. The team announced on September 25 that linebacker and leading tackler Alex Singleton had suffered a torn ACL in their Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sidelining him for the rest of the season.
Singleton, who was also a team captain, had recorded a team-leading 31 tackles and played all 57 defensive snaps in the 26-7 victory, despite tearing his ACL early in the game.
With Singleton out, Allen’s role becomes even more critical as Denver looks to maintain its defensive strength throughout the season.
Leave a Reply