The Buffalo Bills Josh Allen may have been the third quarterback who heard his name called at the 2018 draft. However, he’s moved up a spot in the position, according to ESPN.
ESPN currently ranks Allen as No. 2 on his list of quarterbacks from 2018 cohort, settling in behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
According to ESPN there isn’t much to differentiate between the middle portion of the grouping behind the electric Jackson.
Here’s how ESPN explains that middle grouping:
“Let’s be honest here – Nos. 2-4 on this list are extremely close, and it’s not because they’ve all been excellent. After a season’s worth of starts, Allen, Mayfield and Darnold all have major issues and rank near the bottom of the league in multiple statistical categories. But this is my ranking, and I have Allen just barely ahead of Mayfield because of his development in a Bills system that has highlighted his natural tools.”
While several pundits have questioned the offensive identity for Buffalo’s unit, ESPNfeels the staff has done well with Allen, adding “the Buffalo coaching staff continues to put the former No. 7 overall pick in favorable positions that cater to both his arm talent and movement skills.” In addition to his arm, Allen has been lethal in the run game, leading this group with 14 rushing touchdowns to date.
He’s also the best among these quarterbacks with respect to QBR in the red zone.
ESPN also tabbed Allen’s arm strength as his best trait. Allen is completing 64.4-percent of his passes traveling 10-20 yard range, which ranks seventh in the NFL.
Allen, while still a work in progress, is inching his way up the rankings among his contemporaries. Being No. 2 is not a bad thing at this point and his play could get even better.
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