Jason

Allen

Allen, who held out for ten days of camp, will likely start at free safety as a rookie. He had a knee scope in July but is expected to be medically cleared Tuesday. Matt Leinart is now the sole first-round draft pick not under contract.

Allen, Donte Whitner, and Matt Leinart are the only first-round picks left unsigned. It’s unknown where Allen is in his recovery from knee surgery.

Renaldo Hill is slated to start at strong safety, although Travares Tillman, Deke Cooper, and Yeremiah Bell should get a chance to compete in training camp.

Allen is a cornerback/safety hybrid at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and appeared in all 16 games with the Texans last season, making four starts. Allen figures to see extensive playing time in sub packages and could push Nate Clements for a starting job opposite Leon Hall. The alternative would be to use Allen at free safety, where the Bengals may lose free agent incumbent Reggie Nelson.

It’s his first known visit of free agency. Allen appeared in all 16 games for the Texans last season after being claimed off waivers in 2010, but made just four starts.

The Titans may simply be kicking tires on all three. Allen was the 16th overall pick in the 2006 draft and has never found a positional home, shuttling between safety and corner. He couldn’t get on the field in Cincinnati last year.

With the re-signings of CBs Adam Jones and Terence Newman, Allen is no higher than the fifth cornerback on the depth chart. The soon-to-be 30-year-old former first-round pick is also due $3 million this season. Allen played just three snaps on defense last season.

After re-signing cornerbacks Adam Jones and Terence Newman, Allen wouldn’t have been higher than fifth on the depth chart. He was due a prohibitive $3 million salary, making it an easy decision. The former first-round pick played just 3 defensive snaps in 2012. His release will count $500,000 against the cap.

Allen’s roster spot was in danger last summer as well, but his special teams work kept him around. He’s an “afterthought” in the team’s free safety competition, so the Dolphins may finally sever ties with the 2006 first-rounder.

Bell is arguably Miami’s top defensive back and in a contract year, so this is an awful development for both him and the club. Travares Tillman is the top candidate to take over. Jason Allen also could be moved from cornerback.