1. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
There will be a lot of debate on who should be the first quarterback taken in the 2018 NFL Draft. For now, my hat is in the corner of Josh Allen. He has the best combination of size, athleticism and arm strength in the group.
Allen’s arm talent is undeniable and immediately jumps off the screen. He’s capable of reaching all levels of the field, squeezing the ball into tight windows and throwing with accuracy.
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His size and athleticism help make him a versatile player. Allen is capable of escaping the pocket and picking up yard with his legs. However, he appears committed to keeping his eyes downfield in an attempt to win with his arm.
Allen’s height helps him easily see over the defensive line and avoid batted balls. He should have no problems shifting in the pocket while still having a clear view of his target.
The negatives are he plays against weaker competition and has a gunslinger’s mentality. Playing at Wyoming does limit his opportunities to play against elite talent, but we have seen other quarterback’s quickly overcome this issue.
I typically shy away from quarterbacks who take too many risks, but Allen seems to toe the line better than most. He is more of a quarterback who will take some risks and produce. Allen isn’t careless with the football; he just trusts his arm talent.