According to PFF, Indianapolis Colts new linebacker, CJ Allen, who was the 53rd overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday night, is one of the biggest steals in this year’s class:

Allen is a physical, reliable middle linebacker with strong run-defense ability. His length limitations are notable, but he flashes enough in coverage to project as a starter.

The 6,’0 3/4”, 230 pound junior linebacker out of Georgia recorded 88 tackles (47 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during 13 starts this past season. Allen earned consensus All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors in 2025 and was a 2x SEC Champion for the Bulldogs.

Per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Allen was his 32nd best overall prospect in this year’s draft class, but the Colts managed to obtain great value at Pick #53, and that was even after a trade down from their original #47th overall pick, that also netted Indianapolis an additional 4th round pick:

Allen is a productive, intelligent playmaker. He plays bigger than his listed size (6-foot-1, 235 pounds). Against the run, he has good instincts/awareness. He can thud off offensive guards or play over the top of them. He flies around the field with outstanding effort. He’s an explosive striker on ball-carriers with a high batting average as a tackler. He has some tightness, which shows up in coverage, but he has enough speed to run with TEs and RBs. He’s instinctive as a zone dropper. Sources at Georgia rave about his character, leadership and communication skills. Allen should be a steady, reliable force very early in his pro career.

Allen projects as an immediate starter for the Colts defense, alongside recently signed veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither in the 2nd level of their defense at linebacker. He’s instinctive with speed, athleticism, and sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability, who can provide thump against the ground game and has been lauded for leadership.

If there’s one deficiency he’ll need to work on at the next level, it’s his pass coverage, but he’s better than advertised in that regard.

Here’s what else they’re saying on Allen right now as a top linebacker prospect right now:

love me some CJ Allen. think his medicals caused him to fall but landed in a perfect spot with Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis

WHEW. CJ Allen is incredible pic.twitter.com/K1h9zG6GGi

For those thinking about subscribing, all of my scouting reports come w/ film clips of each playerSo, for example, you can see what I mean when I talk about how good CJ Allen is. Some of these clips show off his traits, others show how tough his coverage assignments were at UGA https://t.co/PTszIKn0sR pic.twitter.com/MWx17zHIKT

Massive W @Colts.Y'all got a heat-seeking missile in CJ Allen. pic.twitter.com/Ts1n3YqscS