Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: 5 quarterback prospects for the 49ers

By Peter Panacy

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen doesn’t even make it into the first round of NFL Draft consideration, according to the latest rankings from CBS Sports.

More from Niner Noise

But if you asked Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller last July, Allen would be the top prospect taken in 2018.

Like Josh Rosen, Allen’s 2016 completion percentage wasn’t much to write home about (56 percent). And his 28-to-15 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a bit concerning, when thinking about his abilities at the NFL level.

This points to a key problem — touch. This and footwork were two of the major areas of issue, according to NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah.

But Jeremiah, and others I’ve read, point out Allen’s ability to work efficiently within the pocket and on the run. Like Rosen, Allen’s delivery is quick and usually on point.

Just check out the first play on this Draftbreakdown.com video, as the pocket around Allen collapses:

That’s a quick release.

Sure, there are going to be concerns Allen hasn’t faced the toughest competition. And I’m also biased towards Wyoming players (a good chunk of my family is from there).

Regardless, Allen is a player likely rising up draft boards heading towards 2018.