CJ Allen selected by Colts in 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis stats
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CJ Allen selected by Colts in 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis stats
Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star·Indianapolis Star
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2 min read
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TheColtsticked off the most glaring need on their roster with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, following a script that general managerChris Ballardhas used time and time again during his time as general manager.
Indianapolispicked up an extra fourth-round pick by trading back from the No. 47 pick, then took Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen with the No. 53 pick.
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Ballard has spent months telegraphing his desire for more picks. The Indianapolis general manager said he wanted more picks at the NFL scouting combine, then said earlier this week that he believes the strength of the draft is in the third and fourth round.
With a handful of linebackers still available, Ballard saw an opportunity at No. 47. Only Ohio State’sSonny Styles, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez and Missouri’s Jeremiah Trotter were off the board at the time.
When Indianapolis got on the clock, theColtsdecided it was time to take Allen, a player who instantly projects as the replacement forZaire Franklinat middle linebacker.
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
CJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
(Jordan Godfree, Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images)
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos of the Colts roster
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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See photos of the Colts roster
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
CJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
10/14
See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
12/14
See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
(Jordan Godfree, Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
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See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
By taking Allen, Indianapolis filled a glaring need at linebacker with an experienced starter who made 30 starts at Georgia over three seasons, piling up 164 tackles over the past two seasons as a starter.
Ballard opened the offseason by saying he wanted to get younger and faster on defense, and Allen is a shot in that direction. Allen, who was listed at 6-1, 230 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in a reported 4.47 seconds for teams earlier this week, confirming the speed that he produced on tape.
Allen offers some juice as a blitzer after producing 3.5 sacks in his final year with the Bulldogs, and he instantly givesthe Coltsa player who can be expected to plug and play in the middle.
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But it is unclear if Allen is the type of linebacker who can elevate the defense by routinely producing big plays. Allen produced 4.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles in 30 starts at Georgia, a relatively low rate of production, and he had only 11 tackles-for-loss, another kind of splash play.
Allen appears to be a relatively safe pick, filling a need in the starting lineup for Lou Anarumo’s defense with little risk. Whether or not he will make enough turnover-producing plays to elevate the defense is the question.
