2019 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks rising in first round of NFL Draft
By Phil Poling
42. . EDGE. Kentucky Wildcats. Josh Allen. 2. player
The San Francisco 49ers are compiling one of the strongest defensive fronts in all of football. With the selection of Kentucky’s Josh Allen at No. 2, he’ll join former first round picks Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Soloman Thomas along with Dee Ford on the defensive line.
The scheme in which they’re deployed will likely be a 4-3, with the defensive ends playing a wide-nine technique to demand pressure. Ford played a similar position in the Chiefs’ 3-4 a year ago as an outside linebacker, giving Allen a veteran he can grow and learn with.
At Kentucky, Allen established himself as an elite pass rusher with 17.5 sacks and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018. He totaled 31.5 sacks for his career, but can occasionally dropped into coverage when asked.
With his athleticism at 6-foot-5, Allen shouldn’t be expected to drop into coverage early on in his career. Instead, unleashing him on the quarterback will create plenty of opportunities for turnovers.