If second-round pick, linebacker CJ Allen, ends up wearing the green dot for the Indianapolis Colts’ defense, he will be the first rookie under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to do so.
Allen wore the green dot at Georgia the last two years, and the Colts believe he can do that at the NFL level. But whether or not that happens right away remains to be seen.
Anarumo first wants to see how Allen handles those pre-snap responsibilities and if it impacts his post-snap play.
“We’ll see how it plays out. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a linebacker,” Anrumo said via Roundtable Sports. “I had Vonn Bell, was my green dot in Cincinnati for a year as a safety. So, that part of it, I’m not worried about, you know? We’ll figure that part out. If CJ can do it, great. If we feel like it’s hampering him a little bit, then we’ll give it to somebody else.”
The MIKE linebacker is often the one who wears the green dot and relays the playcall to the rest of the defense, along with communicating any pre-snap adjustments.
If Allen doesn’t wear the green dot, safety Cam Bynum would seem to be a likely candidate to do so. But for now, Anarumo is not worried about who wears the green dot, but believes Allen has the ability to do so right away.
“So really, that’s the last thing on my mind,” Anarumo added. “I think that if it’s a safety or another linebacker, we’ll see, but I got a feeling he’s going to be able to do it, though. He did it down there, so he’s used to it. That’s the good news now, with the guys in college, they have that now. They never had it before, and now they do. So, obviously, over the last couple years. So, I think that will help him.”
Allen ranked among the best in run defense over both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to PFF’s metrics. He’s been a very sound tackler. In coverage, he allowed 10.6 yards per catch in 2025, with three pass breakups.
Allen, 21, was named a first-team All-American following the 2025 season.
“I just think everything about him and his makeup, both on and off the field,” said Anarumo. “Coach (Kirby) Smart down there at Georgia thinks the world of the guy. Has played a ton of football there. He is all about football; the old school gym rat. He just wants to get better at playing football. He’s a great leader for them. We’re not going to ask him to do all that when he first gets here. We just want to let him be the best version of himself that he can be, and then we’ll kind of take it from there. But certainly has a skillset to help us out. And looking forward, as I said, to getting all these guys here tomorrow.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Will Colts LB CJ Allen wear green dot in Year 1? Lou Anarumo weighs in
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
