the chance that your #1 pick will not live up to your expectations, and God knows we have had our share of mediocre #1 picks over the last 40 years. I cant give him all the blame though, from the coaching side of things he hasnt had too much help until last year. All of us wouldn’t mind being in his shoes right now.

With Davis, Smith and W. Allen at least we got 3 good players ahead of him instead of 1 or 2. He’s decent enough on special teams (but can he return kicks……)

i think he is not that “football” smart, and was successful in college because he is so athletically gifted. He had the 6th best 20 yd. shuttle score recorded at the combine since 1998, right behind Champ Bailey and Dante Hall, and ran a 4.38 40. In college he could just rely on his talent, but when he was brought in by Saban, I think he had trouble learning the complicated defensive scheme.

Here is a scout comment after his Combine evaluation:

Allen helped answer questions about his ability to play the cornerback position in the NFL by finishing near the top of the defensive backs in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump (39 ½"), broad jump (10’11"), short shuttle (3.81), long shuttle (11.17) and three-cone (6.75).

After that, the swapping positions and multiple systems just slowed his development even further. He still has superior athletic skills for a CB, but he may not be able to make the mental transition successfully to the pro level. That is why I think that they are giving him another year. If he is just a slow learner, but is able to pick it up after year two in the same system, he might actually be worthy of a 1st round pick.

While I am still skeptical, I am also still hopeful that things “click” for him this year.

you got beat out by Jason Allen and got cut by the 49ers.