Broncos undrafted free agent spotlight on LB Christopher Allen

Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos agreed to terms with Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen, bringing him in as an undrafted free agent. 

This will conclude this year’s undrafted spotlight series and I have possibly saved the best for last with Christopher Allen, a player with a decent chance to make some noise in 2022.

Name: Christopher Allen

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 242

School: Alabama

Position: Outside linebacker

Following the draft, Allen was easily the most recognizable name signed by the Broncos as part of a 13-player undrafted free-agent class.

Allen was a top recruit coming out of high school and of course, any player who ends up at the powerhouse in Tuscaloosa has the chance to one day play in the NFL. Injuries that cost him nearly two full seasons in college are the biggest knock on him and perhaps the main reason he went undrafted. But it was still a surprise he was not selected.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had him rated as a fourth-round pick, showing that the Broncos potentially got terrific value with this selection.

Because of his injuries, Allen’s stats don’t job off the page. He had 6.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in his time with the Crimson Tide but he also played in just a total of 19 games for the team.

Allen looks like a player who could be dominant in the NFL. He also has all of the physical traits you look for, including a nice blend of speed, power, hand usage, bend and upfield burst.

He will need to prove that he can stay healthy and he will need to be molded into a complete player, but there is a lot of upside with this guy and the team could benefit greatly if he hits his ceiling.

Chances of making the 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 5

Allen has a decent shot to make the roster and a 50-50 chance is about the best odds an undrafted player could ask for. That said, the edge rusher position is one of the deepest and most difficult to evaluate on the team.

Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb, Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning (if he plays outside) and Johnathon Cooper are going to make the team. So how many more outside linebackers will the team keep?

This leaves Malik Reed in limbo. It seems it would be a huge mistake to cut him, so will the Broncos shop him around in a possible trade?

Then there is Aaron Patrick, a player a lot of people are high on for his ability to play special teams, something Allen would need to show he can do if he wants any chance to make the roster as a rookie.

There are probably too many guys to get past in the pecking order for Allen to get onto the final 53 this year, but if the Broncos were to send Reed away, that could open a door. If they intend to put Allen on the practice squad, he would first have to clear waivers, something that may not happen if all 31 other teams have a chance to sign him.

This will be one of the most interesting players to watch this summer. He has been given jersey No. 45.