Drew Allar, NFL Combine
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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar throwing the ball around at the 2026 NFL Combine.
The New York Jets are eying one of the most talented quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed on social media that the Jets had a private workout with Penn State QB Drew Allar on Friday, March 20.
“The Jets had a number of Penn State players at the facility for private workouts this weekend, with the pro day circuit set to begin,” Hughes wrote. “Benefit of having him with a number of other: They could see him throw to his guys.”
Connor Hughes
The #Jets had a number of Penn State players at the facility for private workouts this weekend, with the pro day circuit set to begin, per sources.
QB Drew Allar was among them. Team decision makers watched him throw on Friday.
Benefit of having him with a number of other:
The Kid Has Talent
Allar, 22, is listed at 6-foot-5 and weighs 228 pounds.
“Allar looks the part with prototypical size and an effortless arm that can make any NFL throw,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.
During his college football career, there was a time when Allar was considered to be a potential No. 1 overall pick.
“However, inconsistent touch and ball placement are a major hindrance. In big moments and big games, he hasn’t proven he can rise to the occasion or sustain efficiency,” Zierlein explained.
Allar broke his left ankle on October 11. He ran out of college football eligibility and took his talents to the draft.
Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted that Allar “did not do a full set of drills at the Scouting Combine earlier this year.”
Even though Allar didn’t participate in the full set of drills, he said during his press conference in Indy that “if I had to play a game today or tomorrow, I feel like I could go out there and get it done,” via Myles Simmons of PFT.
Video Game Numbers in College
Allar was at Penn State for four years and appeared in 45 games. With those opportunities, he completed 63.2% of his passes, threw for 7,402 passing yards, and had a 61 touchdown to 13 interception ratio.
“Allar finishes his career as Penn State’s all-time leader in completion percentage among full-time starters at 63.2%. He’s third all time in touchdown passes (61) and fourth in yards (7,402),” ESPN’s Pete Thamel wrote.
On the consensus big board, Allar is the 119th-ranked overall prospect and No. 5 ranked QB in April’s draft.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid said Allar’s projected draft range is “late day 2, early day 3.” That means a late third-round pick to an early fourth-round pick.
A Swing Worth Taking if You’re the Jets
Allar looks the part. That is a piece of clay that is worth taking a swing at on the third day of the draft.
A developmental project that can be tinkered with behind the scenes while Geno Smith is the full-time starter.
If the Jets take a quarterback in the first or second round, there’s pressure. However, players taken in the third round or later deal with a different kind of pressure.
There wouldn’t be a demand to see Allar immediately, the same way there would be for a higher selected pick. It’s a win-win scenario if you’re the Jets. You potentially find a long-term QB answer at a low price. Or you discover that he isn’t the guy, and you move on. Or perhaps you find a long-term backup option that is super valuable.
At that stage of the draft, the juice is worth the squeeze.