ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have signed an ascending player to their defensive line.
Denver officially signed free-agent defensive end Zach Allen as free agency began, the team announced Wednesday.
A third-round pick in 2019, Allen joins the Broncos after spending the first four seasons of his career in Arizona. He started 35 career games for the Cardinals, including 27 over the previous two seasons.
During the last two years, Allen recorded 95 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, an interception and 12 passes defensed.
Allen has improved his production in a number of categories in each of his four seasons, including sacks, passes defensed and quarterback hits.
Allen played for new Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph for all four of his seasons in Arizona, and he now reunites with Joseph in Denver.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen ranked fifth in 2022 in hit and sack rate among interior defensive linemen with at least 250 pass-rush snaps.
The 6-foot-4, 281-pound player attended Boston College and was college teammates for a season with Broncos safety Justin Simmons.
Allen is the third player the Broncos have signed in free agency, joining quarterback Jarrett Stidham and tight end Chris Manhertz.
Follow new Broncos defensive end Zach Allen from his college days at Boston College to starting his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.
Boston College's Zach Allen (2) tackles Virginia Tech's Travon McMillian during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Virginia Tech won 23-10. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston College's Zach Allen (2) warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Boston College defensive end Zach Allen (2) plays against Miami offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Boston, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
South quarterback Jarrett Stidham, left, of Auburn, tries to escape pressure from North defensive end Zach Allen, of Boston College, during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Arizona Cardinals third round draft pick Zach Allen speaks during an NFL football news conference, Thursday, May 9, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (97) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) rushes the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 31-19. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks for a call as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) makes the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Defensive lineman (94) Zach Allen of the Arizona Cardinals enters the field during player introductions before playing against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Panthers defeated the Cardinals 34-10. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen advances the ball after intercepting a pass by Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton ,left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Chicago. The Cardinals won 33-22. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) runs the ball in for a first quarter touchdown after recovering a fumble from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arizona Cardinals fans cheer as Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) scores a touchdown as he returns a fumble for the score against the Seattle Seahawks as umpire Bryan Neale (92) and Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) look on during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen rushes against the Los Angeles Rams line, including offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (70), during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) tackles Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (15) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) warms up beside a Crucial Catch sign before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (26) dives with the ball against Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 19-9. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen pauses on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chargers defeated the Cardinals 25-24. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrate during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
