49ers 2019 NFL Draft prospect profile: EDGE Zach Allen

The San Francisco 49ers figure to add some more pass-rushing help in the 2019 NFL Draft. But what if the Niners wait until Round 2 to target someone like Boston College’s Zach Allen?

It would be foolish if the San Francisco 49ers failed to take advantage of a very deep cast of talented defensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft. Most likely, general manager John Lynch uses the team’s first pick, No. 2 overall, to accomplish this.

That said, a number of different scenarios open up if Lynch and the Niners trade out of that spot, perhaps addressing other needs where the position depth isn’t quite as deep.

If so, how feasible is it to see San Francisco wait until Round 2 to address outside edge-rushing needs? And, if that winds up being the case, is Boston College EDGE Zach Allen the right kind of target?

Allen certainly isn’t in the discussion among the top-quality Round 1 edge rushers in this year’s class. Likely a day-two target, he could be something of a backup plan if the Niners elect to table that need until later.

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Generated 4/14/2019.

As seen above, Allen’s sack production isn’t something that jumps off the paper. But merely gauging a prospect’s abilities off stats alone isn’t a good NFL Draft strategy, usually reserved for Twitter rants and amateur discussion.

Instead, let’s look at the scouting reports and traits Allen has to offer at the pro level.

Zach Allen’s Strengths

There’s one thing the stats can reveal. Allen, particularly in 2017, had a tremendous amount of tackles yet only four sacks. Why? Well, he’s an excellent run-stopping defender.

Pro Football Focus had this to say about his efforts here:

"Allen was one of the best run defenders in college football in 2017 before a 90.3 pass-rushing grade this past season. He was an ironman for BC, playing 107 snaps against Wake Forest this past season."

At 6-foot-4 and 281 pounds, has good strength and speed to match up with a hot-running motor. It’s as if he prides himself on being a violent pocket wrecker, using his positive attributes to overpower lesser offensive linemen in both pass protection and in run support.

Zach Allen’s Weaknesses

While violence is definitely a part of Allen’s game, there’s not a lot of finesse. He often has to rely more on brute strength and overpowering abilities instead of technique and footwork — both of which are questionable.

This might have worked well enough in the college ranks. But going up against bigger, stronger and better blockers could prove to be problematic in pass-rushing situations.

You’re not going to see Allen try to get around the edge much, either, instead more of him relying on those aforementioned characteristics. When he is effectively blocked by a lineman, Allen has some trouble disengaging and figuring out another route of attack.

Potential Fit with the 49ers

The only way this makes sense for San Francisco is if Lynch passes on one of the top edge rushers atop the NFL Draft, perhaps trading down or coming up with some other pick like Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Adding EDGE Dee Ford earlier this offseason negates the Niners’ need for edge-rushing help to a point, so the idea of Lynch tabling the need until Round 2 does have some merits. That said, Allen’s fit as a potential run stopper only, at first, seems a bit unneeded.

Particularly with the 49ers roster already boasting two good run stoppers, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas.

Most likely, Allen won’t be a player the Niners are totally serious about. Yet if the NFL Draft pans out in an unforeseen way, it’s possible San Francisco pushes Allen up its draft board a bit as something of an emergency contingency plan.

The 2019 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET.