Colts' CJ Allen Needs to 'Take Ownership' of Opportunity Ahead

The Indianapolis Colts made a bold move this offseason when they traded starting MIKE linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers, electing to fill his role with a younger, more promising option in the NFL Draft.

In the second round, the Colts found their resolution, selecting Georgia's CJ Allen, whom they'd been circling leading up to the draft.

"CJ, we've liked CJ through the whole process," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said after the draft.

"He stands for all the right stuff. He's an athletic, fast MIKE. He'll be a green-dot guy for us from the get-go. I mean, he's a face-of-the-program type of guy. He's a really special dude now. Loves to play, serious about football."

READ MORE: COLTS CB PREVIEW: Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr. Make All the Difference

While Allen is a great fit for the Colts on paper, who should be able to make an instant impact, the pressure to succeed and replace a productive starter is real.

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards recently compiled a list of 10 rookie draft picks under the most pressure to perform in 2026, and Allen made the list at No. 9.

"Allen was at one-time regarded as a potential first-round pick by several in draft media, but was not taken until the second round," Edwards wrote. "Indianapolis no longer has recognizable names like Shaq Leonard, Zaire Franklin, Anthony Walker, or E.J. Speed at the linebacker position, so the Colts need Allen to step up and take ownership of the role. His primary competition is traveled veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither and fourth-round selection Bryce Boettcher."

Between the clear path for Allen to start and Ballard's own high praise, there is quite a bit of pressure on Allen's shoulder.

READ MORE: Colts' DeForest Buckner Still 'Honorable Mention' Among NFL's Top Defensive Tackles

Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo himself was thrilled to land Allen, but is trying not to overwhelm him.

"I just think everything about him and his makeup, both on and off the field. Coach (Kirby) Smart down there at Georgia thinks the world of the guy. Has played a ton of football there," Anarumo said. "He is all about football – the old school gym rat. He just wants to get better at playing football. He's a great leader for them. We're not going to ask him to do all that when he first gets here. We just want to let him be the best version of himself that he can be, and then we'll kind of take it from there. But certainly has a skill set to help us out."

So far, Allen has been doing everything he can to prepare himself for what lies ahead, showing up to the building early and using his coaches as resources.

"He's in here every day super early, getting his work done before practice," Anarumo recently said about Allen. "Yeah, really excited about where he's at."