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Chicago Bears Draft Update: An New Look at the Bears Options at Number Three

By Bryan Dietzler

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25, center) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93, left), linebacker Reuben Foster (10), defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94, second from right), and defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (9) during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25, center) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93, left), linebacker Reuben Foster (10), defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94, second from right), and defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (9) during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Allen is a defensive tackle out of Alabama and could make it as a defensive end in the Bears 3-4 alignment.  He is not big enough to be the nose tackle in that 3-4 alignment (an ideal 3-4 nose tackle is typically over 6’2” and weighs over 320 pounds).

He has excelled as a 3-4 defensive end in college and that’s what he will play in the NFL.

Before we get to a potential major drawback regarding Allen, let’s take a what Pro Football Focus has to say about his upside:

"Explodes into blockers and controls the line of scrimmage"

"Will stay square, work down the line of scrimmage in the run game"

"Has the power to push the pocket as a pass-rusher. Can compress pocket from interior or off the edge"

"Has quickness and hands to win on the inside against guards, versatile skillset allows him to rush passer from many different positions"

"Relentless with his hands, will pick up late pressures"

"Rarely loses on first contact against opposing blockers"

"Had few opportunities to play 6-tech, but would likely be dominant run defender as base DE"

"At his best when engaging and using his hands to shed blocks"

"After playing only 401 snaps in 2015, Allen showed that he can handle more of a full-time role in 2016, playing 746 snaps while excelling both against the run and as a pass-rusher"

There was a time when Allen was thought to be the best player in the 2017 NFL Draft but he has lost a little bit of ground.  It’s been said that Allen has some damage to his shoulders and that may cause some teams to take a pass on him in the draft.  While it’s also said that isn’t that serious of an issue it appears that this may have affected his overall standing at least a little.

Other than that, which could possibly be serious depending on what medical reports say, Allen does have a few, but not many, drawbacks.  He is ideally not as tall as some like a 3-4 defensive end to be.  He wouldn’t be that effective as a nose tackle unless he was able to add more weight.  Allen may not be able to be a “space-eater” which is required of defensive ends in a 3-4 defense.

If Allen is there when the Bears pick Chicago has a tough decision to make.  While he is not “perfect” for their defense he could be brought along to become a big part of it.  But will the shoulder issues make them look in a different direction?

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