Completely irrelevant in the eyes of NFL teams during his first four years at Arkansas, Brandon Allen vaulted his way into draft conversations with a much-improved 2015 season.

As we get closer and closer to the 2016 NFL Draft, the volume of players I’d like to provide you with at least some analysis of looms large. Enter our new mini-scouting reports, laid out very simply with strengths, weaknesses, scheme fit, and a general overview of the player, before finally offering you a round grade. These reports will be brief, informative, and to the point, covering only expected mid-late round prospects in the upcoming draft. I’ll continue to produce lengthier reports with more visual features for players expected to be taken higher in the draft.

QB Brandon Allen

College: Arkansas

Year: RS Senior

Birth Year: 1992

Height: 6-1

Weight: 217

Arm Length: 31 3/4

Hand Size: 8 7/8

Combine Results

40 Time: 4.84

Bench: DNP

Vertical: 28

Broad: 9’2

3-Cone: 7.06

Short Shuttle: DNP

60-yard Shuttle: DNP

Pros

One of the more underrated arms in recent memory. Throws with excellent zip between the numbers. Will test defenses down the field on deep posts and crosses. Won’t hesitate to rip the ball into tight windows. Efficient in the short-intermediate game, consistently offering a catchable ball for receivers. Quick, over-the-top release to take advantage of expiring throwing windows. Makes quick decisions and doesn’t get caught holding the ball. Clean footwork and mechanics. Took advantage of limited deep ball opportunities to show off decent arm strength and accuracy over the top. Athletic passer who can buy time in the pocket and is a threat to pick up yardage with his legs. Throws well on the run. Won’t make a ton of mistakes. Improved remarkably during three years in Arkansas pro-style offense.

Cons

Smaller than average quarterback with tiny hands. Can clean up ball placement in short-intermediate game (screens!) to allow receivers to maximize yards after catch. Velocity does dip on throws to the far hash. Tons of play-action passes/rollouts hitting the first read or reading just half the field. Will need to develop reading defenses and manipulating coverage with his eyes. Pre-determines throws and stares down targets at times. Run-heavy offense that rarely asked Allen to be aggressive with vertical shots. Does not yet throw with desired anticipation. Looks to run rather than stand in vs. pressure. Will be 24 when 2016 season begins.

Analysis

You haven’t heard a lot about him during the pre-draft process, but I think Brandon Allen has the necessary tools and athleticism to develop into a solid quarterback at the next level. The Arkansas signal caller has a legit arm and won’t hesitate to make high-degree of difficulty throws into tight windows. He wasn’t asked to carry the Razorbacks run-heavy offense very often, but on a few occasions (Mississippi State) Allen stepped up and performed brilliantly. His small frame and hands may scare off some teams, but it didn’t impact Allen at the college level, so I’m wary to project failure based on a few measurements. Allen is tough, physically capable, and mentally growing, and while I wish he wasn’t already going to be 24 this upcoming season, he’s probably the best day three quarterback in the 2016 class.

Grade: Early 5th Round