After trading back, the Colts landed one of the cleaner linebacker fits in the draft with CJ Allen at pick No. 53. He is expected to step into Lou Anarumo’s defense next to Akeem Davis-Gaither and compete to replace the role Zaire Franklin held in the middle of the defense. Allen brings leadership, range, and coverage instincts, and he looks like the type of linebacker who can handle real responsibility early.
School: GeorgiaHeight: 6-foot-1 1/4Weight: 237 poundsArm Length: 30 3/8 inchesHand Size: 9 1/4 inchesClass: Junior
Stats2023: 14 games | 41 total tackles | 2.5 TFL | 1 sack | 0 INTs | 2 pass deflections2024: 14 games | 76 total tackles | 3.0 TFL | 0 sacks | 1 INT | 4 pass deflections2025: 13 games | 88 total tackles | 8.0 TFL | 3.5 sacks | 0 INTs | 4 pass deflections | 1 forced fumbleCareer: 41 games | 205 total tackles | 13.5 TFL | 4.5 sacks | 1 INT | 10 pass deflections | 1 forced fumble
Captain and play caller of Georgia’s defense, which says a lot about the football intelligence, trust level, and command he brings to the field.
Shows very good instincts in coverage and reads the quarterback’s eyes well.
Cj Allen should be draft priority number one for the Bills pic.twitter.com/YJCLJLN0QL
Excellent closing speed and real sideline-to-sideline range.
WHEW. CJ Allen is incredible pic.twitter.com/K1h9zG6GGi
Consistently seems to be in the right spot and around the football.
CJ ALLEN… DAWG‼️📺: ABC#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/EsH3RjYzhx
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 16, 2025
Plays with the awareness and poise of a true field general in the middle of a defense.
CJ Allen (3) processing + avoiding blockers + making the stop by getting under the QB & dumping him pic.twitter.com/c6Jg77rRFa
Has the movement ability to stay on the field in multiple situations and handle a three-down role.
Productive, steady, and reliable rather than flashy for the sake of being flashy.
Can get pushed back at times when the action gets tight and physical.
Needs to play with a bit more aggressiveness in traffic and through contact.
Does not always bring the same force in muddy areas that he shows when he is able to flow freely.
More of a steady, high-level operator than a chaotic playmaker, which may cause some to underrate him.
Lacks the same splash-play profile as some of the more explosive linebackers in the class, even though the overall game is cleaner.