A lot of quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round of the last two NFL drafts. But Pro Football Focus thinks among all of those, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has the best team around him.
Here’s why, via analyst Steve Palazzolo:
Last season, the additions of wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley worked wonders for Allen’s production on throws up to 20 yards, as they combined for 1,838 yards while Brown’s speed had to be respected as a downfield threat. The addition of WR Stefon Diggs gives the Bills a trio with fantastic route running at all levels of the field and perhaps the best top three wide receivers in the league.
Diggs is a rare combination of outstanding route-running and contested-catch ability, making him a clear No. 1 option with Brown and Beasley able to play to their strengths. Tight end Dawson Knox also showed well last season as a rookie, averaging 13.9 yards/reception. On the offensive line, Buffalo took a high-volume approach which paid off by improving the unit by a few notches in the 2019 final ranking, and they may be ever better this season. Since the 2017 season, only left tackle Dion Dawkins remains on the overhauled starting five. The additions of LG Quinton Spain, C Mitch Morse, and RTs Cody Ford and Ty Nsekhe are all perfect plays for the mantra “creep back toward average” along the offensive line.
Allen and the Bills edge out some of the most promising quarterbacks in PFF’s rankings. In second is the Ravens and defending MVP Lamar Jackson, while the No. 1 overall pick in Allen’s draft in 2017, Baker Mayfield, and the Browns, sit in third.
The Bills are certainly putting their quarterback in a fair position to win. No pressure, Josh.
In Year 2, Allen may have had the best season of anyone on the list, which also includes Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen. That is, aside from the reigning MVP.
Now like Jackson, Allen has to take another positive step forward in his third season, showing he’s here to stay in the NFL.
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