Editor’s note: NESN.com will profile intriguing prospects in the days leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft. Next up: Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen.
Brandon Allen, quarterback, Arkansas
6-foot-1, 217 pounds
Projected round:Â Fifth to sixth
2015 stats:Â 244 of 370, 3,440 yards, 30 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 65.9 completion percentage; 55 carries, 110 yards, one touchdown
Testing numbers:Â 4.84-second 40-yard dash, 1.71-second 10-yard split, 28-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 2-inch broad jump, 4.33-second short shuttle, 7.06-second three-cone drill
Strengths:Â Allen rated above average in Pro Football Focus’ accuracy percentage. Of his 126 incompletions, 10 were drops, 17 were throwaways, five were batted at the line and five were because he was hit while throwing. Allen was good at avoiding sacks. He was under pressure on 33.6 percent of drop backs but took sacks just 11 percent of the time. He also showed off impressive arm strength and accuracy, hitting on 48.8 percent of his throws over 20 yards. He was 21 of 43 for 724 yards with 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions on deep throws.
Weaknesses:Â Allen had the smallest hands among quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine at 8 7/8 inches. He fumbled just four times in 2015, however, and he had above-average accuracy. He’s average while throwing under pressure with a 61.5 accuracy percentage, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also not a special athlete and has a small frame.
Patriots fit: Allen isn’t a fit based on his size and athleticism, only meeting the Patriots’ typical standards with his 40-yard dash, broad jump and three-cone time. The Patriots have drafted a quarterback with hands under nine inches before, when they selected Kevin O’Connell 94th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Thumbnail photo via Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports Images
