We’re finally approaching the beginning of the 2020 NFL season, with only a few weeks left until the first games kick off. I’ll be continuing my Player Profile series in the meantime, where we’ll take a look at each of the players on Atlanta’s roster. I’ll break down their measurables, past production, and try to project their 2020 season with the Falcons.
After taking a look at the projected starters, we now turn our attention to the depth on the Falcons’ roster. Today I’ll be discussing DT Hinwa Allieu—an undersized UDFA out of Nebraska-Kearney who put up impressive production as a pass rusher on the interior.
DT Hinwa Allieu
Age: 23
Contract: $610K cap hit in 2020, UDFA contract through 2022 ($761K APY), RFA in 2023
Career Production: 44 games played | 160 total tackles, 20.5 TFL, 15.5 sacks, 14 QB hurries
2019 Production: 12 games played | 40 total tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 QB hurries
Previous Teams: UDFA signed by the Atlanta Falcons (2020)
Measurables: 6’3, 276, 34.25” arm length, 8.875” hand size | 5.2s 40-yard dash, 1.77 10-yard split, 7.68s 3-cone, 4.81s 20-yard shuttle | 30” vertical jump, 112” broad jump | 23 bench reps
While the Falcons have a thoroughly stacked DT room heading into 2020 with the return of Tyeler Davison and the second-round addition of Marlon Davidson, that didn’t stop the team from bringing in several UDFAs to compete in camp. One of those UDFAs is Hinwa Allieu, an undersized DT prospect hailing from Division II Nebraska-Kearney. Allieu played a versatile role in college but weighed in at just 276 pounds at his Pro Day. The Falcons have him listed at 290, suggesting that he is bulking up for a primary role on the interior in Atlanta.
Allieu hit the ground running in his college career, starting 6 games and playing in 10 during his true freshman season in 2016. He earned more playing time and some early accolades in his sophomore year, starting 11 games and leading the team with 5.5 sacks. Allieu continued to show impressive production on the interior in 2018, once again starting all 11 games and tying for the team lead in sacks with 4.5. His senior season was his best yet, as Allieu put up 40 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks en route to a first-team All-MIAA selection.
Allieu’s athletic testing was a bit of a mixed bag, but he tested out with impressive explosiveness for his size. It remains to be seen how effective he can be in a full-time interior role—and at a higher weight—with the Falcons. If you’re interested in hearing more about Allieu’s personal story, check out Evan Birchfield’s interview with Allieu from earlier in the offseason.
Projection: Hinwa Allieu faces a difficult road to the roster with 3 roster spots already accounted for. He’ll have to prove he’s a better option than former third-round pick Deadrin Senat and former UDFA Jacob Tuioti-Mariner to have a shot at cracking the final 53. More likely, Allieu’s best path is finding a way onto the practice squad for the 2020 season by making a strong impression on the coaching staff.