Pro Football Focus: Jaguars top pick Josh Allen surging in recent weeks
After only three games into the 2019 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) have to be happy with defensive end Josh Allen their first-round pick, and seventh-overall selection, in the 2019 NFL Draft. Allen has flashed as a pass rusher in each game this season and he exploded against the Tennessee Titans during the team's week 3 20-7 victory, a game he notched two sacks and one forced fumble in.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen has been one of the most impressive first-round picks so far this season, and they think he has gotten better each game, leading to high praise below.
Josh Allen was an absolute force in Week 3, recording one sack, one strip-sack, one hit and three hurries on his 39 pass-rushing snaps, taking his pressure total up to 15 through three games. The Kentucky product earned career-high marks across the board, but judging by his trajectory (52.4 grade in Week 1, 64.8 grade in Week 2, 80.2 in Week 3) the chances are that I’ll be saying the same next week after he takes on the Broncos’ faltering offensive line.
PFF are not the only ones who are impressed with Allen's performance thus far. Head coach Doug Marrone said he is a player who has already impacted the defense, but one he also expects to continue to improve.
"I’ve really seen a guy that really works hard at the game, really studies it. Plays with a lot of passion. He can play the run. He’s just going to get better and better and that’s what so exciting, and I think it’s going to be really good for our football team. I think he gets better each week," Marrone said.
"You can see the one thing, as good of a person as he is off the field, and it’s kind of like Calais [Campbell]. I think the one thing, make no mistake about it, there’s a ton of intensity on the field. And I think when you watch him play, you can see that intensity and I think it not only benefits him, but it benefits everyone else around him.”
