The Buffalo Bills have a lot of work to do in the wake of another disappointing playoff exit. Gone is longtime head coach Sean McDermott, promoted is offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the same position.
The Bills have plenty of questions to answer, but none may be greater than figuring out what pieces to add in order to complement new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme. The Bills may opt to solve their receiver issues elsewhere, leaving the Bills to put their focus in the draft on defense.
There are a few viable options that could be there when the Bills pick at No. 26. One name that continues to gain traction is the dependable junior linebacker out of Georgia, CJ Allen.
Georgia LB CJ Allen 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 235 lbs
Expected 40-Yard Dash Time: 4.55
Recruiting: 4-star recruit, No. 48 nationally in the class of 2023, No. 4 linebacker
College Production: 205 career tackles (117 solo), 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 10 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles
Positives
- Rapidly improving zone coverage skills, reacting and closing in on throws quickly while watching the QB’s eyes.
- Great communicator, natural leader, gets teammates properly aligned; widely viewed as a “green dot” player.
- Good natural instincts, quickly diagnoses plays which lets him attack at full speed.
- Sideline-to-sideline speed, allowing him to rally from the backside and chase down runners/passers effectively.
- Can hold up at the point of attack against lead blockers and pulling guards, remaining in position to make the tackle rather than losing his gap.
- Textbook wrap-up-and-finish tackler with a very low missed tackle rate; hits with ferocity every time.
- Attacks downhill because of exceptional decisiveness, allowing him to get into gaps and fill the holes quickly.
Allen is an every-down linebacker capable of leading a defense. He is the kind of player who does his job every play and will know where everyone else is supposed to be. He reads and reacts to plays faster than most linebackers at this stage.
What he might lack in explosive playmaking, he more than makes up for in terms of keeping his responsibilities straight. His leadership, experience in a pro-style system, three years of production, and football intelligence project him to be a decade-plus starter at the next level.
Negatives
- Despite quality production, isn’t much of a playmaker who will cause turnovers or create explosive hits.
- Struggles against NFL-caliber players in man coverage and needs to hone his footwork in order to stick with receivers out of their breaks.
- Doesn’t quite have the physicality to get away from bigger blockers who will absorb the blow and carry him out of the play.
- Can be flat-footed against play-action, leaving soft spots especially in the middle of the field.
- A bit stiff in the hips, making it tougher for him to stick to more athletic tight ends and receivers.
Allen has a higher floor than just about any other linebacker prospect, but the question is how high his ceiling is. He will have limitations early on his career, particularly when it comes to defending versatile backs or athletic tight ends in man coverage. It would also be nice to get more big plays out of him as he is more solid than spectacular.
CJ Allen NFL Player Comparison: Zaire Franklin
Franklin was an unheralded prospect coming out of Syracuse but shares a lot of the traits that stand out for Allen: an on-field leader, sideline-to-sideline speed, the ability to diagnose plays quickly and fly to the ball.
Franklin became a dominant tackler, racking up 644 tackles over his last four seasons. Like Allen, he doesn’t make huge individual plays – 10 sacks, just as many forced fumbles, 2 interceptions over the same period.
CJ Allen’s Fit with the Buffalo Bills
As the Bills transition to a 3-4 base defense, they have a glaring need at inside linebacker. Though there are a few intriguing candidates to fill those spots, Leonhard could use a natural leader and communicator who can get everyone where they need to be. Allen's ability to track sideline to sideline is a big plus as well.
CJ Allen NFL Draft Grade: Late Round 1
Size and a lack of explosive playmaking are the only things keeping Allen from being a player picked in the top half of the first round. Allen has all the makings of a long-time quality linebacker, one that routinely racks up 100+ tackles per season.
The Bills have several holes to fill, which is the only reason why they may go in another direction. Adding Allen to this new-look defense would bring stability to the middle of the defense and give the Bills a future defensive captain.