Play of the Day No. 180: Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro makes the goal line stop against Hawkeyes running back Jaziun Patterson (Wisconsin vs. Iowa, 2024). #POTD pic.twitter.com/sQHAYM8q9W

— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) August 24, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs face the prospect of losing some significant linebacker depth next offseason as Cam Jones, Cole Christiansen, Leo Chenal and Jack Cochrane hit free agency. The Chiefs took steps to solidify their linebacker room by drafting Jeffrey Bassa and extending Nick Bolton this offseason, but the team still needs to add more talent through the 2026 NFL draft.  

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro opened the 2024 season as a backup who rotated in for one or two dozen snaps per game. By the end of the year, he was a full-fledged starter taking more than 60 snaps per game. Alliegro’s inexperience showed up frequently, but he flashed the athletic traits to develop into a potential late top 100 selection.

Alliegro is a tall 6’4″ linebacker who carries 247 lbs. well. He also sports arms that should meet the NFL’s length requirements. Alliegro’s fires downhill to out-leverage blockers and shoot gaps for tackles for loss. His rapid acceleration and closing burst make him a rangy athlete capable of beating offensive linemen or ball carriers to their spots.

Alliegro’s tall frame makes him an easy target for climbing linemen, especially when he gets caught lingering too deep in the box. However, he’s quick enough to evade blocks and dip past climbing linemen.

Alliegro knows several other ways to defeat larger blockers. He uses the offensive lineman’s momentum to his advantage, pulling the blocker forward and off balance while slipping past. Alliegro displays impressive power in his hands, loading and exploding into incoming blockers to quickly separate and redirect to the ball. This momentary separation is all he needs to accelerate away from the blocker.

Alliegro’s speed gives him above-average range in the run game. It also helps him gain nice depth in zone coverage and play some man coverage on running backs and tight ends. Alliegro triggers quickly on short routes in zone but is clearly still uncomfortable operating at depth or dealing with high doses of man coverage.

Alliegro is rough around the edges. His overeagerness causes him to trigger too quickly and fit the wrong gap on run plays. He lacks instincts in coverage, and his play strength limits his ability to absorb and then shed blocks. He gets stuck on blocks when he fails to separate quickly.

Alliegro might be a prospect for 2027 instead of 2026, but there’s a path for his athletic traits to elevate him to the level of one of the Big Ten’s best linebackers this season.