Colts draft LB C.J. Allen - Round 2, Pick 53

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Mr. Session

The Franklin comparisons make sense to me, personally.

Without getting too detailed, Franklin ultimately was a productive player for us. He won an All-Pro award, afterall. (IDK how, but he did). If we won more, Franklin probably gets a lot more pro-bowls. I found his personality off the field exhausting, and I won't miss him, but on the field Franklin played above his talent level and I respect that.

I've watched Allen against Alabama, Florida, Texas, Georgia Tech, and part of Ole Miss. I thought he looked good against Florida but I was not impressed with much else. Being better than Franklin at coverage is not something to write home about. I do not see a sideline to sideline guy but I do see one that fundamentally attempts to play downhill. I do not see a guy that deals with blockers well, but in games like Florida I did see some downhill plays where he works through traffic well and shows vision.

what games are y'all watching? I've only watched 2025 tape. What am I missing?

It's 2025 tape. He has a few good coverage reps against Auburn and Tennessee. One vs. Auburn was incredible, Zaire would've fallen down trying to make that play.

[Oldcolt]

I would say you got it backwards Mr Session. If Franklin had played better and won more pro bowls we would have won more.

[Mr. Session]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I would say you got it backwards Mr Session. If Franklin had played better and won more pro bowls we would have won more.

Pro bowls are a joke, I don't think they mean anything.

I still feel like he overproduced. To me he is slow and short but he's tough and a fighter.

If he wasn't annoying off the field, he'd be loved here.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Mr. Session

Pro bowls are a joke, I don't think they mean anything.

I still feel like he overproduced. To me he is slow and short but he's tough and a fighter.

If he wasn't annoying off the field, he'd be loved here.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[apballin]

Georgia has a track record for producing top notch MLB as opposed to Syracuse.

[YDFL Commish]

A great breakdown of CJ Allen. I'm so excited to see this player on the field!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pIEzDlXdY8

[Dam8610]

I've watched more of Allen, and the more I see, the better I've liked him. There's one thing that every analysis and/or breakdown has said that, to me, informs why the Colts picked him, which is that he is a prototypical MIKE. I think Ballard wanted to address that position and know that it is addressed for a long time after the past few years of disappointment and regression from Franklin. Allen is definitely better in coverage than Franklin, but I also think the green dot and communication aspect of his game is extremely valuable and something that I'm sure teams value a lot more than independent scouts. Barring injury, I think we have our long term starting MIKE.