The Washington Redskins have taken Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen with the 17th pick in the NFL draft.
Allen can play inside or outside along the line and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2016, but there are medical concerns about shoulder problems that affected his draft stock.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 286 pounds, Allen is a senior who should instantly upgrade a defensive line that was one of the biggest weaknesses on a Redskins team that failed to make the playoffs last season. Washington's defense ranked 28th in the league and was particularly poor on third downs and against the run.
Eight of the top 12 picks Thursday night were on offense, sending some of the top defensive talent tumbling, which worked in Washington's favor.
Allen was the fifth consecutive defensive player selected.
The Cleveland Browns started Thursday night's first round selecting Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett. Despite a defensive-heavy draft class, three teams traded up to grab quarterbacks, the Bears, Chiefs and Texans.
