Poll: How many sacks will Josh Allen net in 2021?
The 2020 season was disappointing for the entire Jacksonville Jaguars’ team, but no one fell short of expectations quite as much as Josh Allen. Injuries can largely be to blame for that, but even when healthy, Allen’s production dropped off. After earning 10.5 sacks as a rookie, he totaled just 2.5 in his eight games last season. He also only managed 13 total tackles compared to the 44 he netted in 2019.
But there’s reason to believe last season was mostly an aberration. Though it didn’t hold him back much as a rookie, Allen has been playing out of position since the Jags drafted him. In college, he was an edge-rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but in Jacksonville, he’s had to play the part of a classic, 4-3 defensive end. That doesn’t exactly suit Allen’s athletic skill set, and it likely impacted his ability to produce.
That’s going to change in 2021, though. Previous defensive coordinator Todd Wash is gone, and he’s been replaced with former Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who brings with him the Ravens’ defensive scheme. Baltimore runs multiple formations, but it runs a lot more 3-4 than the Jaguars previously did.
That means that Allen will be back to playing the role that made him a standout draft prospect at Kentucky, and given that fact, what are fair expectations of him?
At the very least, he should be back right around where he was as a rookie. His 10.5 sack total from that year is nothing to scoff at, but he did it starting only four games. Even factoring in the potential for injuries and a learning curve within the new scheme, Allen should be able to get pretty close to, if not exceed that number.
Last year’s top-five sack leaders all expected 12, with T.J. Watt leading the pack at 15, so Allen will likely need to exceed his rookie numbers by a bit if he’s going to be competitive in the race for the sacks title. What do you think, Jaguars fans? Would you take the over or the under on Allen replicating his 10.5-sack season? Let us know in the poll down below.
