Broncos' DL Zach Allen Lands on NFL All-Underrated Team

Dre'Mont Jones and Bradley Chubb are no longer with the Denver Broncos, but in their place, Zach Allen and Frank Clark bring a formidable pass-rushing skill set to the table. The Broncos found a way to parlay Jones and Chubb's departure into Allen, Clark... and head coach Sean Payton. 

Not a bad deal. 

The Broncos are banking on landing Allen just as he enters his prime as a pass rusher. Allen might be flying under the radar a bit, and that's okay by the Broncos. Let 'em sleep. 

But long-time NFL analyst Doug Farrar shined a light on Allen by naming him to his NFL All-Underrated Team. Perhaps as an homage to Pro Football Focus' long-running series, Farrar categorized the players on his All-Underrated Team, including Allen, as 'Secret Superstars.' 

The Cardinals took Allen in the third round of the 2019 draft out of Boston College, and Allen was off to a relatively unremarkable start to his NFL career through his first two seasons. But then, J.J. Watt came to the Valley of the Sun in 2021 with a few ideas on how to be a multi-gap disruptor, and Allen was a willing disciple. The 6-foot-4, 281 Allen had his best season to date in 2022, with six sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and 14 quarterback hurries in 427 pass-rushing snaps. Allen’s sacks came everywhere from the edge to aligned over the guards to true nose-shade alignments — so, like his mentor, he’s developed into a guy who can harass quarterbacks from any place you’d like.

The recent addition of Frank Clark does something for a Denver defensive front in need of pass rush, but it’s Allen who could be the primary disruptor.

It would be great to see Allen emerge as Denver's "primary disruptor," as Farrar says, because it would only create more one-on-one matchups for the edge rushers like Clark and Randy Gregory. Allen could still be ascending, but if he has reached his ceiling already, he's still a formidable talent. Very Derek Wolfe-esque. 

As Farrar wrote, J.J. Watt took Allen under his wing in Arizona, and the new Bronco is still tapping into that immense resource of knowledge, including his interior decorating acumen. 

“He definitely helped out a lot," Allen said last month of Watt. "I can really only—I speak very highly about him. I was able to learn a lot from him, obviously, and I’m fortunate for that. I think last year, it was a really good opportunity. We had a great on-field and off-field chemistry. I still am picking his brain for ideas. He’s helping me pick out furniture for my new house. It’s been great.” 

The fact that Allen will continue playing Vance Joseph's scheme could also help vault Allen from "secret" status into the NFL limelight. Joseph is the only defensive coordinator Allen has ever known, and his arrival in Denver was a big reason the fifth-year defensive lineman followed. 

“Yeah, definitely it was a big part," Allen said. "I think Vance is one of the best coaches in the NFL and I was really fortunate to be with him for four years and if you have a chance to make it five, six, seven, then you’re going to do that. So I’m a believer in his stuff and his coaching style and at this point, he’s just a really good friend.” 

The Broncos signed Allen to a three-year deal worth $47.75 million, which included $32.5 million guaranteed. This team believes in the Boston College product. 

Time will tell exactly how Allen will produce, but things are lining up nicely for the Broncos. It's a bit of a bummer to learn of Baron Browning's knee surgery, and how he'll likely start the 2023 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but Clark's presence goes a long way toward ameliorating those feelings. 

Allen, Clark, and Gregory are poised to be Denver's top pass rushers this year, which buys the younger guys, like Browning, as well as 2022 second-rounder Nik Bonnito, more time to develop. The Broncos' defense is as talented and deep as it's been since 2016, and that bodes well for a Payton squad that is poised to return offensive competency to the Mile High City for the first time since Gary Kubiak stepped down.