Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen is off to a great start this season with six tackles, five quarterback hits, two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and one sack through two games in 2024.
Former cornerback Chris Harris tweeted this week that Allen is Denver’s MVP with a Pro Bowl invite and possibly an All-Pro nod on the way.
Allen’s 31% pass rush win rate ranks first among defensive tackles this season, according to ESPN (via @Its_Strez). His nine pressures in Week 2 tied for first among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
Allen has been a force, playing 112 snaps (second-most among defensive linemen). He has 13 pressures through two games, which also ranks second among interior defensive linemen.
“It’s a good thing,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said of Allen’s stamina. “Obviously, big guys wear down quicker than smaller guys because the job is different. He’s in great shape, and again he was mentored by J.J. Watt, who played every down.
“That speaks to the offseason, that speaks to how to train, how to eat and then lifestyle. So I’m not surprised he can play that many snaps. Now it’s not always good because big guys do wear down, and you want big guys fresh. He’s shown over the years he can play multiple snaps.”
Allen’s film is extremely impressive:
Rush Tape! @TheZALLEN44 2 games 13 pressures! Playing Basketball on Grass!! pic.twitter.com/7OGq69ri8z
— Coach Brandon Jordan (@CoachBTJordan) September 18, 2024
“When I think of him and watch his tape, he’s consistent,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about Allen this week. “He has real good staying power. Play 16 and play 48 look the same. That’s hard to do at that position.”
Zach Allen nuking a drive by himself with a run stuff and a pressure pic.twitter.com/795xCek0wn
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) September 17, 2024
“I’d say he’s a pressure player,” Payton said. “In other words, he can be someone that can affect the quarterback and then I’d say [he can] handle the run as well. His consistency and his stamina are two things that come to mind.”
Allen recorded 60 tackles, 24 quarterback hits and five sacks last season. He’s well on his way to beating those totals in 2024.
Zach Allen! https://t.co/jif04pjPPK pic.twitter.com/u4cbf37IbW
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 18, 2024
If Allen keeps up this pace, he will certainly have a strong case to earn the first Pro Bowl selection of his career this fall.
