Marcus

Allen

Other notable cuts from Pittsburgh include offensive linemen Joe Haeg and Chaz Green. The Steelers re-signed Allen on an original-round tender worth $2.4 million this offseason. Allen entered the league as a safety but has since converted to playing mostly at linebacker when on defense. Normally, Allen gets the bulk of his snaps on special teams. He could join the Steelers’ practice squad once rosters are settled.

The tender will be worth around $2.4 million. Allen was a fifth-round pick back in 2018, so that is what a team will owe the Steelers if they sign him away. Allen entered the league as a safety, but he saw time at linebacker last season. He could see more time at linebacker moving forward, but his biggest contributions will come on special teams.

Allen was an exclusive rights free agent, so this was his only option. 24-year-old Allen made 14 2020 appearances, including two starts. He played 207 largely forgettable snaps on defense, and is most valuable as a special teamer.

Allen (6’2/215) made 46 starts in four years with the Nittany Lions, tallying 17 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and one interception. Allen’s 321 career tackles rank fifth in Penn State history. No relation to ex-Chiefs/Raiders RB Marcus, Allen is in fact the godson of Curtis Martin, and a springy athlete with a 37-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump. On tape, Allen is a physical, downhill safety with limited cover skills whose strengths are accentuated in the box. More big hitter than rangy centerfielder, Allen has a future on special-teams coverage if he can’t carve out playing time at strong safety or nickel linebacker.

A four-year stat stuffer at Penn State, Allen is Curtis Martin’s godson. More of a big hitter than center fielder, Allen will begin his NFL career on special teams. Frazier should be headed to the practice squad.