The Denver Broncos are interested in breakout defensive lineman, Zach Allen. Allen is an impending free agent after spending his entire rookie deal with the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old had his best year in 2022, starting in 13 games and managing 47 tackles (10 for loss), 5.5 sacks, and 20 quarterback hits. He also defended eight passes.
A strong 2022 was simply the pinnacle of Allen’s career so far. Truthfully, he has been ascending ever since a disappointing rookie year. Drafted in the third round in 2019, Allen was seen as an underrated selection by the Cardinals. Some questioned how he would fit their 3-4 defensive front but, after a year of learning the system on IR in 2019, Allen was a decent contributor in 2020. Through the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Allen played 28 games and made 83 tackles and six sacks while also defending seven passes. The only concern with Allen rests with his inability to stay healthy. He has yet to play a full season in the NFL.
After losing Chandler Jones in the off-season, the Cardinals leaned on Allen to step up for 2022. Learning under the tutelage of J.J. Watt, Allen’s bull rush and swatting were reminiscent of Watt’s own signature moves. As a versatile pass rusher, Allen is an intriguing free-agent candidate who is severely underrated in this year’s free-agency pool. Indeed, few edge players in this year’s class have a higher pass-rush win rate than Allen, despite him splitting time as an interior defensive lineman as well as a pure edge rusher. Given this year’s free agency class as well as Allen’s talent, he should be able to net up to $13 million per year.
Denver Broncos Interested in Allen
It should come as no surprise that the Broncos are very interested in acquiring the services of Allen. After firing Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos appointed Sean Payton as their new head coach to fix Russell Wilson. Payton’s right-hand man will be Vance Joseph. Joseph returns to the Broncos as the team’s defensive coordinator after spending four years as the defensive coordinator in Arizona.
Given Allen’s Arizona connection to Joseph, the link is no surprise. Allen has steadily developed in Joseph’s system and so his joining Denver makes too much sense. Allen will be familiar with both the scheme and culture that Joseph will want to install in the Denver defense.
Allen also makes sense in terms of roster-building. The Broncos are expected to let Dre’Mont Jones hit free agency, which means they have a vacancy for a pass rusher. Given Allen’s familiarity with Joseph, it makes more sense to try to sign Allen rather than retain Jones. Both would be asking for similar salaries (though Jones could actually prove to be more expensive).
Can Arizona Afford to Lose Allen?
Despite Denver’s interest, the belief is that Arizona will try to retain Allen. He was one of the team’s bright spots last year despite going 3-14. And, despite having to adapt to a new scheme, Allen would likely find a home in Nick Rallis’ 4-3 front. As an impact player in 2022, the Cardinals could do worse than keep Allen around given his age and talent.
There is also a genuine need. The team lost Watt to retirement and was already low on pass rushers. Having also recently released Markus Golden, the team is now down to Cameron Thomas, and Myjai Sanders. Their interior consists of Rashard Lawrence, Jonathan Ledbetter, and Leki Fotu. Allen brings some much-needed production and experience.
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