​The Broncos Wire’s 91-man offseason roster series rolls on today with a profile of eighth-year defensive lineman Zach Allen, wearing No. 99. Before joining the Broncos, Allen stood 6-5 and weighed 285 pounds, and he was drafted out of Boston College by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. In his rookie year with Arizona, Allen appeared in four games, starting one, and recorded eight total tackles (six solo, two assisted) along with one tackle for loss.
In 2020, Allen increased his workload significantly, taking the field in 13 games with seven starts. He piled up 35 tackles (20 solo, 15 assisted), adding five tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and three passes deflected. The following season, 2021, he played in 15 games and started 14, producing 48 total tackles (30 solo, 18 assisted), five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 4.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and his first interception. He also started his first playoff game, contributing four tackles (one solo, three assisted).
Allen’s 2022 campaign, his final year with Arizona, saw him appear in and start 13 games, posting a career-high 5.5 sacks and eight pass deflections, along with 47 total tackles (23 solo, 24 assisted). After that standout year, it surprised many that Arizona did not re-sign him in 2023.
Broncos tenure began with a new opportunity prior to the 2023 season, when Allen signed an initial three-year deal worth $45.75 million with Denver. He reunited with a familiar face in Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who had been Arizona’s DC from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, Allen started all 17 games for the first time in his career, finishing with 60 total tackles (27 solo, 33 assisted), eight tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
The 2024 season saw Allen continue to be a dominant force on the Broncos’ defensive line. He posted a career-best 61 total tackles (32 solo, 29 assisted) with 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one safety, and one pass deflection, in addition to 40 quarterback hits. He also contributed five tackles (four solo, one assisted) and one sack in Denver’s playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. His performance earned him a second-team AP All-Pro nod, the first such honor of his career.
Heading into 2025, coming off his standout 2024 season, Denver rewarded Allen with a four-year, $102 million extension. In 2025, he continued to be a disruptive presence, starting all 17 regular-season games and posting 38 total tackles (14 solo, 24 assisted), four tackles for loss, 47 quarterback hits, seven sacks, and six pass deflections. He also added nine total tackles (six solo, three assisted), 1.5 sacks, and four quarterback hits during Denver’s run to the AFC Championship.
With Allen signed through his age-31 season, he is positioned to be a cornerstone of the Broncos’ defensive front and a critical piece for sustaining strong results in the trenches. His durability, production, and experience make him a key component of the team’s long-term plans. He remains a central figure as the Broncos’ 53-man roster considerations unfold.