Colts draft pick profiles: Everything to know about LB CJ Allen

· Yahoo Sports

After initially trading back, the Indianapolis Colts selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen with the 53rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

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Here is everything you need to know.

Profile

  • Height: 6-006
  • Weight: 230
  • Age: 21

CJ Allen's Georgia bio

Breakdown

Allen ranked among the best in run defense over both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to PFF's metrics. He's been a very sound tackler. In coverage, he allowed 10.6 yards per catch in 2025, with three pass breakups. Allen was named a first-team All-American last season.

One stat to know

Over his three seasons at Georgia, Allen made 224 of his 242 tackle attempts, according to PFF. That's a missed tackle rate of 7.4%. For some context, hanging around the 7% range like Allen makes him one of the more reliable tacklers in college football. Accomplishing that during a three-season span is even more impressive.

What draft experts had to say

“Green dot” linebacker and team captain more capable of rowing the boat than making big splashes. Allen plays with toughness and control, sorting through run fits with patience and leverage in pursuit. He has average trigger quickness and pursuit speed, which forces him to work harder to get to junction points when facing climbing blockers. He has adequate size and strength with good hand strikes to play off blocks. He doesn’t blow up blocks or disrupt on the other side of the line all that often, though. He’s an effective blitzer with average man-cover talent and is capable on all three downs. Allen is a dependable starting Mike ‘backer who raises the floor of a defense." - Lance Zierlein

CJ Allen's Relative Athletic Score

They said it

Chris Ballard: "We've liked CJ through the whole process. He stands for all the right stuff. He's an athletic, fast MIKE. He'll be a green dot guy for us from the get-go. I mean, he's a face of the program type of guy. He's a really special dude now. loves to play, serious about football. It's evident when you watch Georgia tape. I mean, he shows up and look, I mean, Kirby (Smart) and Will (Muschamp) both, Muschamp, who's been a friend a long time, like they couldn't, they were affusive and what kind of player this kid is. So, it's a good fit for us."

Colts' scout Anthony Coughlan: "High-level communicator. You see that in person at practice, you see that at a game, and you see that on film. Highly instinctive. I think he's got rare instincts for a college football player. So the reactive quickness kind of allows him to play faster, and he's already fast. He ran really well a couple weeks ago. I just see a rare feel for a two-and-a-half-year starter in a complex system at Georgia, and there's a lot on his plate mentally. So, definitely I could see green dot potential for us, and he's handled that the last two years at Georgia." 

CJ Allen's fit with the Colts

Allen should be a Day 1 starter for the Colts, specifically taking over the MIKE linebacker duties with Zaire Franklin now in Green Bay.

CJ Allen Highlights

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Everything to know about Colts new LB CJ Allen

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