Marcus Allen NFL Draft 2018: Scouting Report for Pittsburgh Steelers' Pick

POSITIVES

—Is a willing tackler who's comfortable playing in the box as a force player on the edge.

—Is balanced and forceful through contact and can defeat second-level blocks.

—Understands angles as a back-side run defender and can maintain leverage while flowing to the opposite boundary.

—Is an ideal sub-package dime linebacker who can create an immediate advantage as moving defender.

—Is a better intermediate zone safety than most in this class, as he has the ability to redirect routes and identify concepts in motion.

NEGATIVES

—Ball skills are severely lacking. He only had one career interception in four years, and it shows on tape.

—Isn't a fluid enough athlete to play free safety in a single-high scheme. He's a free safety in Cover 2 shell or a strong safety in a dynamic scheme.

—Will struggle in coverage against downfield receivers who have any sort of hip fluidity through route stems and breaks.

—Lateral movements in space look choppy, as he lacks the agility and flexibility to move with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.

—Will be exploited in coverage if he doesn't improve his mental processing to identify breaks and jump routes for pass breakups.

Marcus Allen S NFL Draft

OVERALL

Marcus Allen is a willing tackler who loves to engage in the box against the run. His ability to diagnose route concepts throughout stems will translate to the NFL immediately as an intermediate defender and sub-package matchup player who has the physicality to handle tight ends in space.

Allen's athleticism limits his ability to play as a deep safety and will be an issue against NFL-caliber receivers downfield. He'll be an immediate core special teamer, and he has the physicality and willingness to be an effective third safety and eventual starter with developmental coaching.

GRADE: 6.25 (Round 3)

PRO COMPARISON: Chris Conte, Tampa Bay Buccaneers