The success of Bills quarterback Josh Allen compared to the 2018 NFL Draft picks ahead of him
In the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Allen was selected as the seventh overall pick. Despite being the third quarterback chosen, he has proven to be the most successful in the league since then.
Every year, the NFL Draft sees hits and misses, and Allen’s success raises questions about the picks ahead of him. With hindsight, it’s interesting to consider how history might have been different if Allen had been chosen by another team. Ahead of Allen, there were six draft picks made by five different teams.
Josh Allen’s scouting report
When Josh Allen was drafted in 2018, he was not a household name. Playing for Wyoming in the Mountain West Conference, Allen had the ideal size for a quarterback but a limited playing experience as a starter. Despite this, he showed promise with 5,066 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 27 career games, along with 767 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Analysis from experts like Charlie Campbell, Matt Miller, and Lance Zierlein highlighted Allen’s potential but also pointed out areas needing improvement, such as completion percentage and decision-making. Despite these concerns, Allen was still projected as a top-10 draft pick.
The 2018 NFL Draft
Ahead of Josh Allen, six players were drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Two of them, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, were quarterbacks who have since played for multiple teams and experienced varying levels of success. The other picks included Saquon Barkley, Denzel Ward, Bradley Chubb, and Quenton Nelson.
Each of these players has had their own unique journey in the NFL, with varying degrees of success and impact on their respective teams. The selections made ahead of Josh Allen have shaped the landscape of the NFL since the 2018 draft.
Reflecting on the picks ahead of Josh Allen
As the Bills quarterback continues to excel in the league, the decisions made by the teams ahead of him in the 2018 NFL Draft come under scrutiny. With players like Baker Mayfield, Saquon Barkley, and Sam Darnold chosen before Allen, the draft class has produced a mix of talent and challenges for each team involved.
The impact of these selections is felt not only on the individual players but also on the overall competitiveness and dynamics of the NFL. As Josh Allen’s career progresses, the legacy of the 2018 NFL Draft will continue to be analyzed and discussed in the context of his success and the decisions made by other teams.