Jacksonville Jaguars first-round rookie selection Josh Allen got his first crack at taking the field with the team’s veterans Tuesday, and it appears he’s already caught the attention of his comrade Yannick Ngakoue. When asked about his impressions on the young Southeastern Conference standout, Ngakoue told the media that Allen reminds him of himself and said he was excited to see the chaos they could cause on the field together.
“I see a little bit of myself in him,” Ngakoue said after Tuesday’s practice. “I definitely want to get with him each and everyday to try to get him better because the better he is, the more it will take double teams off him and myself.”
There aren’t many others on the Jags’ roster who would make better mentors for Allen than Ngakoue, who understands what it’s like to be placed on the field for significant snaps as a rookie. It wasn’t that long ago when Ngakoue was fighting hard as the No. 2 defensive end behind Dante Fowler Jr., who he eventually overtook for a starting role.
As for Allen, he told the media that he was very excited to learn from Calais Campbell and Ngakoue after he was drafted, and one could see why as both have combined for several Pro Bowls. If he can develop into the player Ngakoue has over his three-year tenure, the Jags would have their pass rushing duo of the future with Campbell not getting any younger.
