Josh Allen was phenomenal during his rookie campaign in 2019, however, it’s highly unlikely that fans were shocked because he had a top-4 grade from most draft pundits. After he fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the seventh overall pick last April, there probably wasn’t a single disappointed fan in Duval as it appeared the team could have a star on their hands.
As expected, when the Sunday (and Thursday) spotlight was put on him, Allen answered the call putting together the most dominant showing of any defensive rookie in team history. He was so dominant that he beat out the franchise’s rookie sack record held by Yannick Ngakoue, racking up 10.5 on the season while also earning Pro Bowl honors.
With all of that behind him, Allen turned 23 Monday, which means Jags fans will have him around for a very long time if the front office does its job. To celebrate alongside him, here are some highlights he put together as a 22-year-old rookie phenom.
A Pro Bowler in year one.
Happy birthday to @Jaguars DE @JoshAllen41_! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/1rtHE55hfV
— NFL (@NFL) July 13, 2020
Despite not being a full-time starter, Allen was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year alongside San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa. While the argument could be made that Allen should’ve won it due to producing more sacks with fewer snaps (634 to 777), Bosa ended up taking the award earlier this year, but fans are now over that and ready to see what 2020 brings.
At just 23 years of age, Allen will enter 2020 as one of the team’s leaders after the defense parted ways with veterans Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, and A.J. Bouye. He also has a high chance to become a full-time starter this season as Ngakoue may sit the season out in hopes to get traded. If that is the case, fans certainly won’t be complaining as Allen is set to become one of the league’s top-5 pass-rushers in a short period.