NFL Draft Player of the Week: Alabama DL Jonathan Allen

One of my favorite prospects in this class, and I will say this every time I write on him, is Alabama defensive lineman, Jonathan Allen. Allen has such has perfect combination of athletic ability, technique and absolute want-to that it is nearly impossible seeing him being anything less than an immediate impact defensive lineman. The 6-3, 280 pound Allen plays inside the Alabama defense quite a bit, but also has been very productive off the edge during his career, showing that he can be a movable chess piece at the NFL level.

Last Saturday, Jonathan Allen and the Crimson Tide defense took on its biggest and most talented test so far this season in the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies, who were coming into the game as a top ten team, are loaded on offense and can hurt teams on the ground and through the air. It was imperative that Jonathan Allen delivered... and he did.

Allen was dominant all day, going through the Aggies offensive line like a hot knife through butter. His high motor and brute strength was just too much to handle in terms of pass defense, and he pushed guys around in the running game, stifling A&M on the ground... Oh yeah and he did this:

Slap, swim, superman. New pass rush move. ✈️ https://t.co/Dy593Uat8v

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) October 24, 2016

Allen put on a clinic against Texas A&M, leading his team in QB hurries. An impressive feat on such a loaded line. Even during his crazy productive day, Allen scored a recovery touchdown that showed off his incredible athletic ability. Allen is up to six sacks on the season and has 18 sacks in his last 22 games. Allen does it all and the fact that he was the best player in a game where Myles Garrett was playing should tell you all you need to know about what he did to Texas A&M on Sunday.

Other Performances of Note:

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma: Over the last three weeks, Dede Westbrook has compiled over 600 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His speed at the position has been invaluable to the Sooners and he put on another show against Texas Tech on Saturday, catching nine passes for over two hundred yards and two touchdowns. Westbrook is on an absolute tear right now and he is showing that his slighter frame (6-0, 175) does not mean he can't be legitimate NFL threat.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, TTU: On the other sideline in the Oklahoma/Texas Tech game was an incredible quarterback performance from Patrick Mahomes where he threw for over seven HUNDRED yards, while rushing for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raider's 66-59 loss. Yes, you read that right: Patrick Mahomes had 800 total yards and seven touchdowns in a game... In a loss. Mahomes does it all from the quarterback position. Besides having an aggressive style and one of the better arms I have seen in college in a while, Mahomes is also a great athlete who can make plays with his feet. Mahomes will likely get knocked for the Air Raid offense he has been so productive, but do not mistake his production for a product of the offense. Mahomes is a legit NFL talent at quarterback and should continue to get run throughout the season.

Joe Williams, RB, Utah: Joe Williams ran for almost 180 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago, an impressive performance by any measure and one that would leave few wanting any more than that... However, Williams followed up that performance with a 332 yard, four touchdown performance where Williams averaged over 11 yards per carry. The 5-11, 200 pound Allentown, PA native showed off his impressive speed and hard running style, breaking multiple long runs and outrunning all types of angles. This was Williams second game back after previously retiring from football, making this performance all the more impressive. If he continues to stick with football, he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: Speaking of impressive running back performances, it is hard not to at least talk about Leonard Fournette's comeback game against Ole Miss. Fournette has been dealing with some health issues this season and his play to this point has been inconsistent, but he finally got back to looking like his old self against the Rebels. Fournette totaled 280 yards on the ground at almost eighteen (!!) yards a carry and three touchdowns. Fournette's signature speed and strength were on full display, running through and past anyone that got into his vicinity. College football has been missing his unique style of play the last few weeks so it is good to see such a good NFL prospect back to his old self.