Alright, 12s! The “NFL Top 100 players of 2026” reveals are still coming fast and furious, and this week we got another name that’s definitely making waves: Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen. He just landed at No. 73 on the list, and while he’s not rocking green and blue, his serious climb demands attention, especially since our NFC West rivals down in Arizona are set to face him this upcoming season.
Zach Allen’s Massive Leap and Disruptive Play
This isn’t just some casual ranking, folks. Allen was No. 90 last year, so a jump to 73? That’s a massive 17-spot leap, proving exactly how much he dominated the league last season! He played all 17 games, which is huge for a D-lineman, especially one who earned his first ever Pro Bowl selection, and was a first-team All-Pro. Let that sink in for a second: *first-team All-Pro*. He was already second-team in 2024, showing he’s been on the rise, but that leap to the absolute top tier speaks volumes about his consistent impact and elite game. The numbers back it up big time, too: 38 total tackles, a solid seven sacks, four tackles for loss, and an insane 47 quarterback hits! Forty-seven! And he’s batting balls down too, with six tipped passes. It’s clear this dude is everywhere on the field, causing chaos for opposing offenses.
Even his teammates and opponents are gushing about him. Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain said watching Allen rush is “like watching ballet on grass , the moves he does, the counters, the swim moves.” And Broncos tackle Garett Bolles said Allen “does it all , chasing guys down, getting in their face, batting balls down, making sure running backs can’t get through their lanes.” Even Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who has to block him, straight up said Allen “has become one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.” That’s respect, right there.
Rival Watch: What This Means For the NFC West
So, why are we Seattle fans talking about a Denver D-lineman so much? Because knowing who’s a bona fide threat across the league is part of being a true 12, and this guy is absolutely a big one. Our division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, are gonna get a direct look at Allen and that Broncos defense when they host them in Week 7. It’s always good to scout the competition, even if it’s our competition’s competition, right? And get this: Allen actually spent his first four seasons with the Cardinals after being drafted in the third round in 2019, before he signed with the Broncos three years ago. So he’s got history in that stadium, and you know he’ll be looking to make an even bigger statement against his old team.
This ongoing “NFL Top 100” reveal also highlighted some other names this week from the 80-71 range. We saw a couple of Arizona Cardinals make the cut themselves, with outside linebacker Josh Sweat coming in at No. 78 and safety Budda Baker at No. 75. It just shows you the level of talent that’s getting recognized across the league. Allen’s massive move up the list is a clear signal that defensive tackles are making a huge impact, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on how he and the rest of the Top 100 perform when the games really start to matter this upcoming season.
The NFL season is right around the corner, and these rankings just build the anticipation. We’re hyped to see all the action unfold across the league. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
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