With no first-round pick because of the Sauce Gardner trade, the Indianapolis Colts set their sights on CJ Allen. The Georgia star looked like a can't-miss talent, someone who could've contributed right out of the gate.
Fast forward to Week 6, and after missing extensive time in training camp with an injury, Allen is still playing catch-up. He looked like a deer in headlights in the preseason, and he's barely gotten to play in the regular season.
Not only is that disappointing for someone the team reportedly wanted as their defensive quarterback from the jump, but it also makes him look like yet another swing-and-miss by Chris Ballard. To add insult to injury, it looks like the Colts could've done better in that draft range.
The Indianapolis Colts could've done better than CJ Allen
The Colts took Allen out of Georgia with the No. 53 pick. Within the next five selections, teams took two potential All-Pro defensive players: defensive end Gabe Jacas (Patriots, No. 55) and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Browns, No. 58).
Like Allen, Jacas missed most of training camp, although in his case, it was due to a contract dispute. He hasn't missed a beat since, logging 16 total tackles (eight solo), 11 run stops, five quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one interception. He hasn't started yet, but he has also contributed on special teams.
McNeil-Warren, on the other hand, is slowly but steadily carving himself a bigger role in the Browns' crowded secondary because he's making it impossible to keep him off the field.
He's Pro-Football Focus's (subscription required) highest-graded defensive rookie and second-highest-graded safety (89.9), and he's up to 18 tackles (seven solo), two pass breakups, and has given up just one catch on four targets.
Of course, it's way too early in their careers; it's only been five games. Also, it's easier to look back in hindsight and have all the right answers, and this isn't meant to be harsh on Allen or to say that he'll be a bust.
However, this has been a worrisome trend under the Ballard regime. High draft picks like Kwity Paye (No. 21), Jaylahn Tuimoloau (No. 45), Ben Banogu (No. 49), Kemoko Turay (No. 52), and, to be fair, maybe even Laiatu Latu to a degree, haven't panned out for this team.
Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road, and Allen will ultimately thrive as the high-IQ blitzing and run-stopping machine scouts thought he'd become. Maybe he's not fully healthy yet, and some players just need more time than others to get a handle on the pace of the pro game.
This is not about him, nor are we wishing him ill or saying he won't be a star in due time. But given this team's track record of swing-and-misses, it's hard not to be skeptical, more so when other guys taken in the same range are already looking great.
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