The San Francisco 49ers will hold a pre-draft visit in Santa Clara with Kentucky edge defender Josh Allen, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. He also has visits scheduled with the Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Detroit Lions.
Kentucky OLB Josh Allen just told me he has pre-draft visits scheduled to meet with #49ers, #Raiders, #NYGiants, #NYJets and #Lions.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 22, 2019
Update: Tom Pelissero of NFL Network added the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Allen's pre-draft visit list.
Kentucky is holding its pro day on Friday, but Allen will not be participating in drills. He will, however, spend his time meeting with NFL teams.
49ers general manager John Lynch and VP of player personnel Adam Peters will not attend Kentucky's pro day after visiting the Alabama and Ohio State pro days on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Allen finished his senior campaign with Kentucky having registered 88 combined tackles with 21.5 for a loss and a Kentucky single-season school record 17 sacks, including a three-sack performance in the Wildcats' 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Citrus Bowl. He recorded 31.5 sacks in his four collegiate seasons.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-5 and 262-pound Allen had a 40-time of 4.63 seconds, a broad jump of 118 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 7.15 seconds, 28 reps in the bench press, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.23 seconds. Other measurables for Allen include an arm length of 33 1/2 inches and hands that measure 8 3/4 inches.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Allen to Anthony Barr, wrote the following about Allen within his scouting report:
"True hybrid linebacker with elite physical traits who has the ability to float between coverage and pass rush duties. Allen's diverse skill-set could offer a creative defensive mind a fun toy to deploy around the field, but his NFL value will rest in his ability to menace the pocket as 3-4 rush linebacker. He's fine-tuned a couple of go-to rush moves but will need to continue to diversify his rush portfolio as a pro. He's not a glass-chewer and doesn't always impose his will at the point of attack, but the tools to become dominant as a run defender and pass rusher are all at his disposal."
Joe Marino of The Draft Network wrote the following about Allen within his scouting report:
"Josh Allen's burst, bend and length provides an exciting foundation to work from in becoming a high-impact pass rusher in the NFL. That said, there is still room to grow in terms developing counters, improving his vision and adding play strength that indicates an extremely high ceiling as he evolves as a player. Allen has already proven his ability to function with his hand in the dirt, as a stand up edge and dropping into coverage making him a scheme-versatile defender that would thrive in a defensive front that is multiple. Allen has the tools needed contribute right away in the NFL with the makings of a dynamic playmaker at his position by year three."
Measurables
Height: 6-5
Weight: 262 lbs.
Arm length: 33 1/2 inches
Hand length: 8 3/4 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 4.63 seconds
Broad jump: 118 inches
3-cone drill: 7.15 seconds
Bench press: 28 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds
| College Statistics | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Class | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | |||||||||
| 2015 | Kentucky | FR | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| 2016 | Kentucky | SO | 13 | 32 | 30 | 62 | 8.5 | 7.0 | |||||||||
| 2017 | Kentucky | JR | 13 | 32 | 34 | 66 | 10.5 | 7.0 | |||||||||
| 2018 | Kentucky | SR | 13 | 56 | 32 | 88 | 21.5 | 17.0 | |||||||||
| Total | Kentucky | 121 | 99 | 220 | 42.0 | 31.5 | |||||||||||