For years now, Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has been left out when discussing the best players at his position, despite putting up numbers that rank near the top.
However, a handful NFL executives, coaches, scouts and players beg to differ.
50 of them were polled, which was used to compile the best wideouts in the league, and Allen was tabbed as the eighth-best.
Allen has established himself as a seasoned route-runner with physical balls, which has aided in him amassing 1,100-plus yards receiving the past three consecutive seasons.
“We use examples of him in the film room running a bunch of routes,” one NFL head coach said.
Allen has been knocked because a lot of his work has been exclusively in the slot, but he has shown that he’s more than capable of still putting defensive backs on skates on the outside.
“It doesn’t get any better than him in the slot,” one NFL coordinator said. “He understands every release. He has a plan. Timing is flawless.”
Per Pro Football Focus, Allen has posted the fourth-best receiving grade in the NFL (91.2) since 2017.
Allen is entering the final year of his contract. He will have the opportunity to put together a big season even with Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert under center, as he is set to have favorable matchups throughout the 2020 season.