Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is considered by many to be the best quarterback available in this year’s NFL Draft. But his detractors have been critical of his accuracy. If he can only complete 56 percent of his passes when playing against lower-level college competition, how is he going to do against NFL competition?
According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. (as reported by Matthew Fairburn), he is going to do just fine. Why? Apparently, his accuracy is no longer an issue.
“That's history now … He didn't show any (accuracy issues) during the combine or the pro day. Didn't show it in the bowl game … He's made dramatic improvement and silenced a lot of critics.”
So, the same man who has repeatedly stated that that Pro Days don’t matter now says that they do mater for Allen?
The assertion doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
Allen’s accuracy for two seasons was only 56 percent. Two years of practice, coaching, training, and playing failed to improve his accuracy significantly. Technically, it improved by .3 percent. It was 56 percent in 2016 and 56.3 in 2017. But he also threw more short range, safer passes. His average per attempt was 8.6 yards in 2016 and only 6.8 last season.
Throwing drills at the combine and at Pro Days are under the most ideal conditions imaginable. If his accuracy then is not better than 56 percent, you have to wonder how he ever made it in college. As for the bowl game, he completed 57.9 percent of his passes (11-19).
Mel Kiper Jr. has been evaluating talent for a long time. But this time, his comments make no sense. Either he hasn't been paying attention, he's repeating what he's been told to say, or he's lost his touch.
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