Raiders Opponent Underrated Player: DE Zach Allen
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday as the 2023 NFL regular season has finally arrived.
Denver was one of the busiest teams this offseason, trading for Coach Sean Payton and signing several players to big contracts during free agency. The Broncos finished last in the AFC West last season, and is hoping the moves they made can get them out of last place.
One of those moves was signing defensive end Zach Allen from the Arizona Cardinals to a three-year, $45.75-million contract. The Broncos are looking to Allen to anchor their pass rush on the interior.
Allen has been a productive defender in his four-year career, posting 138 total tackles, 22 tackles for losses, 15 passes defended and 11.5 sacks. He was a third-round selection by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Boston College.
Allen had the best season of his career in 2022, posting 47 total tackles, 10 tackles for losses, 20 quarterback hits and five and a half sacks. His hard work and development earned him a big contract this offseason.
Allen will reunite with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached him in Arizona. The Broncos hired Joseph this offseason, his second stint in Denver. He was their head coach in 2017-2018.
Allen being back in Joseph’s 3-4 defensive base will be beneficial for him, as he will not have to learn an entirely new system and his development has a good chance of continuing.
At 6-fopt-5 and 285 pounds, Allen has the desired size to be a 3-4 defensive end. He can come off the edge or rush the interior, and as his numbers indicate, he has improved his pass rush ability.
The Raiders will need to be mindful of what Allen can do for the Raiders’ defensive line, as he can beat them in so many different ways. He is an improved run defender as well, earning his highest run defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2022.
Allen is one of the most underrated defensive ends in the NFL, a player who has developed his game throughout his young career. Coach Josh McDaniels will need to game plan for him, as he could be disruptive to the Raiders' offensive line.
The Silver and Black open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4:25 p.m. EDT/1:25 p.m. PDT.
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