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In recent years, the Denver Broncos have had a difficult time getting players to the Pro Bowl. Last season, only three Broncos were selected to participate in the annual All-Star game... Patrick Surtain II, Justin Simmons and Marvin Mims Jr.
One of those players is no longer on the team and another one was selected only as a return specialist. But the Broncos have improved this season and could land more players in the Pro Bowl. Kevin Patra of NFL.com recently put together a list of potential sleeper candidates to be selected to this year's roster and an unsung hero of Denver's defense flew into his radar.
Zach Allen has been an anchor for one of the better defensive units in the league this season.
While Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper are credited with making the Broncos' pass rush what it has been and Surtain remains the leader of the defense, Allen has been the model of consistency. He has 39 tackles and five sacks so far this season.
While Allen may not always get to the quarterback, he ranks in the top 10 for most defensive pressures. He is the only defensive tackle on that list and he's on pace for 71 QB pressures this season, which would be the most by a defensive tackle since Aaron Donald in 2021. Donald is a future Hall of Famer.
Pressure leaders going into Week 11 💪 pic.twitter.com/PggwdQzT0D
— PFF (@PFF) November 14, 2024If Allen keeps that up, he should be on a short list of players to consider at defensive tackle in the AFC.
Zach Allen is putting together a Pro Bowl resume
Allen does the things that don't show up in the box score. While other guys get the glory, it's Allen doing the heavy lifting.
Pro Bowl voting is often a popularity contest, and it's likely that Allen won't win one of those as outside of Broncos Country, his high level of play is largely going unnoticed. Here's part of what Patra had to say in his assessment:
"Allen isn't just getting after the QB. His 35 stops are tied for the most among all defensive linemen, and his 11 tackles for loss are tied for third-most. A Tasmanian devil with a mean streak, Allen has been one of the most underrated players in the NFL for the past several seasons. It's time that ends."
It remains to be seen if Allen gets the honor of being selected to the Pro Bowl this year, but whether or not he deserves to be should not be in question.
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