Dakota Allen’s run support bright spot for Browns defense

There were plenty of bright spots for the Cleveland Browns defense in Jacksonville but linebacker Dakota Allen’s run defense was one of the most promising.

Looking back at the Cleveland Browns preseason opener one of the more impressive performances was from linebacker Dakota Allen. His coverage skills were a little lacking but his ability to stop the run was something to watch. The linebacker room lacks solid depth pieces and Allen’s performance may lead to some answers in the room.

He was showing a great ability to read and diagnose the play and reacting so quickly against run plays — finishing with a team-high eight tackles. You could see him come flying from off the screen to make the play and his tackling ability is top-notch. When looking for linebacker depth you have got to find players that can consistently make tackles and Allen has shown early that he can do that.

The biggest issue and concern with Allen over his career, and even in college, has been his injury history. Allen is still only 26 years old and likely would be a good backup for the same linebacker role that Sione Takitaki is currently occupying. Takitaki does a great job stopping the run for the Browns in his limited role.

Allen still faces an uphill battle with making the final roster for the Browns but without many established players outside of Anthony Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah he has the chance to catch on and make the 53-man roster.

With stout-run defense, he has a good chance to carve out a role on this team especially if he can provide solid special teams as well.