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NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks push defensive prospects down board

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys throws against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 69-66 in triple overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys throws against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 69-66 in triple overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

53. . Quarterback. Wyoming. Josh Allen. 1. player

This pick is coming down to a choice between Sam Darnold or Josh Allen, but at this point in time, it seems like Allen will be the pick for the Browns. And it comes with good reason.

Allen has one of the strongest arms in this draft among quarterbacks, and he performed very well at the Combine. Allen launched a perfect, 70-plus yard ball during one of his throwing workouts that drew a lot of praise from scouts and analysts alike. While strong armed quarterbacks haven’t always succeeded at the NFL level, see Jamarcus Russell and Jake Locker, it’s still a big tool that not many have.

Allen definitely has some work to do as a passer. He isn’t very accurate and doesn’t fully understand how to utilize his cannon of an arm. As a prospect, he really is reminiscent of Locker. A guy with a great arm and athleticism, but one who hasn’t put it all together.

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At the NFL level, arm strength only matters if a quarterback can throw with some semblance of accuracy. Allen has only completed 56 percent of his passes in each of his two years as a starter, and that won’t cut it at the NFL level. Allen has to work on this ability moving forward, or he will have a lot of trouble being anything more than an inconsistent passer with a great arm.

That said, Allen would be given a chance to succeed in Cleveland. With a receiving corps of Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, and tight end David Njoku, the team will have a lot of quality pass catcher with athletic ability to help Allen. If he can improve his accuracy and anticipation, he will pan out.

Taking Allen at No. 1 is a risky proposition. I think there are three quarterbacks better than him, but he has a very high ceiling. So, the Browns can take him here in hopes of developing him and he could become a franchise quarterback. Still, he’s probably the riskiest of the top five quarterbacks in terms of living up to his immense potential.

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