Broncos DE Zach Allen quietly becoming dominant force thanks to ‘attack style’

Five weeks into the season, Denver’s defense is operating at its highest level since the team’s 2015 Super Bowl-winning unit. The unsung hero of the defense is Zach Allen, who is quietly having one of the best seasons by an interior defensive lineman since 2018.

Selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Allen signed a three-year, $45.75 million contract with Denver during the 2023 offseason.

Denver’s defense had highs and extreme lows in Allen’s first year with the organization, allowing the sixth-most points (24.3) and third-most yards (373.4) per game. Despite Allen nearly doubling his career high in the category, the unit generated the 11th-fewest quarterback pressures in the league (224), according to Next Gen Stats via NFL Pro.

Following their disastrous 2023 season, the defense is experiencing a renaissance this fall. Through five games, the unit has allowed the third-fewest yards (271.2) and second-fewest points (14.6) per game. Its 75 team pressures rank third in the league, trailing only the Minnesota Vikings (94) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (79).

Allen has generated 26 QB pressures from defensive tackle this season, six more than the next-closest tackle, Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants. His current pace of 88 pressures from defensive tackle would be the most by a tackle in a season since Aaron Donald’s 104 pressures in 2018.

Allen’s 27 QB pressures (one from edge-rusher) are tied with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett for the third most in the league by any defensive player.

A key aspect of Allen’s pass-rushing success is his improved speed in getting off the line and to the quarterback.

Of Allen’s 27 pressures, 12 have come in under three seconds after the snap of the ball. His current pace of 41 quick pressures in 17 games would shatter his career high of 18 in a season. Allen’s average get-off speed, a stat that measures how long it takes for a player to cross the line of scrimmage, is also the quickest of his six-year career (0.85 seconds).

In addition to his drastic pass-rushing improvement, Allen is on pace to record career highs in run stuffs (15) and tackles (71). He also recorded his first career safety in Denver’s opener against the Seattle Seahawks.