2025 NFL Draft: Drew Allar Is Playing His Way Into Round 1

MIDDLE OF THE FIELD PROCESSING

Aside from physical attributes, the most coveted trait for a quarterback prospect is the ability to target the middle of the field with timing and anticipation. While college offenses can get by with a sideline-heavy passing game, in the NFL, it’s a necessity to attack defenses between the numbers.

But throwing over the middle is much more difficult. Quarterbacks must account for multiple defenders instead of an isolated 1-on-1 matchup and anticipate open routes before zone coverage windows close.

Allar’s confidence in targeting the intermediate middle of the field is special. Outside of the Tyler Warren wildcat package, Penn State’s passing game is relatively “pro-style” by college standards, and Allar consistently executes full-field passing concepts at a high level.

He’s poised in the pocket, efficient working through his progressions, and routinely gets to his second or third read with optimal timing. His passing heatmap from the last two seasons is very balanced horizontally for a college offense:

On this play, he’s initially reading the Will-LB to see if he carries Tyler Warren (#44) on the deep over. The Will continues to get depth, and the Mike runs with a ghost down the seam, which creates an open void for the backside dig:

Here are two examples from Week 5 of Allar moving off of a two-man concept to a dig on the opposite side with excellent timing:

BALL SECURITY

Despite heavily targeting the most dangerous area of the field, Allar has been one of the least turnover-prone quarterbacks since he became a starter.

From 2022-2024, Allar has the third-lowest interception rate among FBS quarterbacks (2025 prospects outside the top 10 included for reference). He also has just five career fumbles:

SACK AVOIDANCE/PLAY EXTENSION

Allar wants to win from the pocket, within the structure of the offense, but he’s not a statue. His pocket navigation, sack avoidance, and playmaking creativity are clear strengths that make him less reliant on the performance of his supporting cast.

Allar’s 11.4 percent career pressure to sack rate is 12th best since 2022 and the lowest in the 2025 QB class:

Last weekend, he pulled off one of his most impressive plays of the year. On fourth and 10, late in the fourth quarter, trailing by seven, Penn State runs three in-breaking routes from a trips formation.

Nicholas Singleton (No. 10) whiffs on his protection assignment, allowing unblocked pressure through the A-gap. Allar has the awareness and mobility to evade the blitz, reset, and deliver an accurate throw to extend the drive:

On this play, both tackles lose inside, but Allar maneuvers around the pressure, scrambles with his eyes downfield, and finds his receiver along the sideline:

He strikes the perfect balance between hanging in the pocket, scrambling, and breaking the pocket to throw on the run. He uses his legs as a life raft to get himself out of trouble, not a crutch to avoid playing in structure.

When he scrambles, he keeps his eyes downfield, maintaining dual-threat capability for as long as possible.

He’s an adequate athlete by NFL standards and not overly dynamic as a ball carrier, but when he escapes, the pocket defenses have to respect his arm and his legs.

In the last two seasons, Allar has 22 rushing conversions on third or fourth down, which ranks 14th among FBS quarterbacks.

ACCURACY

Accuracy is the dark cloud hanging over Allar’s NFL hopes, although I’m cautiously optimistic based on the early returns this year. It’s still my primary concern and will be the first weakness on his scouting report, but it’s no longer a disqualifying limitation.

While his footwork is still inconsistent, it has significantly improved since last season, resulting in much more reliable ball placement from the pocket.

I’ve noticed this, particularly on throws outside the hashes. In 2023, I was holding my breath any time Allar threw a comeback or deep corner, but this year, he’s been close to automatic:

His off-platform precision is a different story. At this point, Allar can't control ball placement on short throws when his feet aren’t set. His accuracy on bootlegs, sprint-outs, and deeper scramble drill throws is passable, but a quick dump-off on the move has seemingly random results.

Allar frequently throws 5-yard check-downs at his target’s feet when he’s under pressure:

As he puts out more tape and the sample size increases, it will be easier to pinpoint specific routes or field zones he needs to improve. But he’s clearly worked to refine his footwork, and the results are noticeable.

Grade: Mid 2nd round

Big Board rank: 28

Position rank: 2

NFL Comparisons: Joe Flacco/Jason Campbell/Kyle Boller