2016 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars select Brandon Allen

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally drafted an offensive player… and it’s a quarterback.

The draft always has some unpredictable moments and the Jacksonville Jaguars finally got into the mix by selecting Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen in the sixth round.

You might remember Brandon Allen from one of the more comical moments in recent draft-machine history. Allen’s hands measured in quite small at the Senior Bowl, prompting him to use some unique techniques to extend his hand size.

Levity aside, Allen is available in the 6th round primarily because of his size. In addition to tiny hands, Allen is a scant 6’1″, 217 pounds and doesn’t really carry a big frame. Here’s what Kevin Weidl of ESPN had to say in his scouting report:

"Allen is a three-year starter who ended his career with 34 straight starts in a pro-style scheme. He lacks elite measurables and his smaller hands are a slight concern. However, he has very good pocket presence and quality rush awareness to slide and buy time within the pocket while working through progressions. He also is a highly competitive player who brings the mental toughness to handle demands of the position. Allen is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in this year’s class. He has a chance to stick in the league as a quality backup with the ability to develop into an adequate starter in the right situation."

This is an interesting move by the Jaguars, as it probably signals their intent to move on from Chad Henne at some point. Henne signed a 2-year deal, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Jaguars moved on after 1 year. While serviceable as a backup during the dark years of the Blaine Gabbert era, Henne has a clear ceiling as a starter and would likely signal a lost season if he ever played significant time. Drafting a quarterback like Allen might provide the Jaguars with a higher upside backup option if Blake Bortles ever misses time.