One expert thinks the 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year could come from the Indianapolis Colts.
It isn't often that a team finds a perfect glove-fit player for them waiting outside of the first round of the NFL Draft, but that's what happened to the Indianapolis Colts last week when they traded back in the second round from No. 47 to No. 53 and selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.
The Colts fell in love with Allen's leadership, smarts, and toughness, and he's going to be starting for them as the MIKE linebacker from day one.
With that opportunity in mind, ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak included Allen among his top candidates for 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Solak categorized Allen among players with a longer than long shot to win the award, primarily due to there only being four non-first-round picks to win Defensive Rookie of the Year since 2000, although each was a linebacker.
Allen was Solak's sixth-ranked player for the award, behind New York Jets edge David Bailey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge Rueben Bain Jr., Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane, Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, and New York Giants linebacker/edge Arvell Reese, all first-round picks.
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) looks on after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images"Here's the player who could really win it," Solak wrote. "Allen is the unquestioned LB1 in Indianapolis, was a prolific tackler at Georgia, and was drafted by the same GM (Chris Ballard) who snagged 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Shaq Leonard -- a linebacker in Round 2. Coordinator Lou Anarumo's defense was great for Logan Wilson (four straight seasons of 100-plus tackles), and Allen has a strong football IQ to succeed within it. Great fit, great opportunity."
Before the draft, when the Colts identified Allen as a player who may fit them as their new defensive leader, they began the process to vet him.
"I don't care if you're the second pick of the draft, like it's difficult. It's a change," Ballard said of the difficulty for a rookie to come in and wear the green dot, which means they call the defense to their teammates. "One of the good things about the system he's coming from is they put a lot on the MIKE. I mean, a lot of adjustments on the MIKE. So, we think he's going to be able to handle it pretty well.
"We spent a lot of time – I know, Bettch (James Bettcher), our linebacker coach, we met with (Allen) at the Combine, but then we also had a long Zoom with him. And I know he grilled him pretty hard and came across raving about his IQ – which we taped it. So of course, I watched it. It was good."
The Colts traded away longtime linebacker Zaire Franklin this offseason, leaving a significant opening in the middle of the defense, which Allen is expected to fill.
As an every-down player, with over 1,600 snaps inside the Georgia defense over the last three years, Allen is about as ready as any other young player could be to take this leap.