Personally, with Travis Daniels, Will Allen, Andre Goodman, Will Poole and Eddie Jackson at CB, I think Allen should be a safety. Not that we are "set" at CB, but I think there is enough there to be very good, assuming everyone is healthy.
We also have some depth at the Safety position, with Bell, Tillman, Cooper, Hill, etc., but no sure fire starters in that group.
What I like about what Allen brings to the table as a safety is the following:
1) Speed. We haven't had much speed at that position in a while and that has often hurt us on over the top coverage. He also should be able to pick up a 3rd WR when we need him.
2) Hitting ability. Allen is a good hitter and brings good size to an undersized position. at 6'1 209, and I think he'll add 4-6 lbs of muscle to that frame over the course of the next couple of years, he can add some intimidation that hasn't been there since the Louis Oliver days.
3) Smarts. Sure, he'll be a rookie. But, this player is very interested in X's and O's and studying film. That's a good thing for a safety as he is, in many respects, the QB of the defensive backfield. It will be a learning process there for sure in learning to recognize other teams schemes and will need a lot of coaching and help from veterans. But, he will eventually become a leader in the backfield if he stays healthy.
We also have some depth at the Safety position, with Bell, Tillman, Cooper, Hill, etc., but no sure fire starters in that group.
What I like about what Allen brings to the table as a safety is the following:
1) Speed. We haven't had much speed at that position in a while and that has often hurt us on over the top coverage. He also should be able to pick up a 3rd WR when we need him.
2) Hitting ability. Allen is a good hitter and brings good size to an undersized position. at 6'1 209, and I think he'll add 4-6 lbs of muscle to that frame over the course of the next couple of years, he can add some intimidation that hasn't been there since the Louis Oliver days.
3) Smarts. Sure, he'll be a rookie. But, this player is very interested in X's and O's and studying film. That's a good thing for a safety as he is, in many respects, the QB of the defensive backfield. It will be a learning process there for sure in learning to recognize other teams schemes and will need a lot of coaching and help from veterans. But, he will eventually become a leader in the backfield if he stays healthy.