The Rise of Josh Allen: A Look at the 2018 NFL Draft Class
Josh Allen's journey from being the seventh overall pick to becoming one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL is a testament to talent, perseverance, and strategic team decisions. Over the past four years, Allen has consistently ranked as a top quarterback in fantasy football, showcasing a skill set that has dazzled fans and analysts alike. Yet, despite his remarkable success, several players were drafted ahead of him in the 2018 NFL Draft, prompting a reevaluation of decisions made by teams that year.
Allen's draft story begins in 2018 when uncertainty loomed over the Wyoming standout due to his experience at a smaller college and the level of competition he faced. Many scouts viewed him as a high-risk, high-reward player. The Buffalo Bills, however, took the plunge by selecting him seventh overall. Initial struggles marked Allen’s rookie season, where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns, leading the Bills to a losing record. Yet, with time and maturity, Allen transformed from a tentative rookie to a dominant quarterback, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and even consideration for MVP honors.
By the start of the 2024 season, Allen's performance had reached new heights, showcasing his dual-threat capability by throwing for 14 touchdowns with a mere one interception, alongside three rushing touchdowns. Critics who doubted his potential have been silenced as he continues to excel, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier quarterback.
Who Were the Six Players Drafted Ahead of Allen?
Reflecting on Allen's journey inevitably leads to a comparison with the six players selected before him in the 2018 NFL Draft. Let’s break down their careers thus far to see how they stack up against Allen.
When the Cleveland Browns selected Baker Mayfield first overall, expectations were sky-high. As a Heisman Trophy winner, he was heralded as the face of a franchise longing for a turnaround. Despite starting strong and briefly leading the Browns to success, Mayfield's inconsistencies, compounded by injuries and turmoil within the organization, saw him traded to the Panthers after four tumultuous seasons. A surprising resurgence with the Rams, followed by a decent stint with the Buccaneers, suggests that Mayfield is still carving out a respectable career, but his trajectory is certainly not on par with Allen's continued ascent.
Saquon Barkley was a no-brainer for the New York Giants, considered the best running back prospect in years. His explosive rookie season earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but injuries quickly derailed his career momentum. Most notably, a torn ACL significantly hampered his performance in subsequent seasons. However, his impressive comeback last year hints at a potential return to form with the Philadelphia Eagles, yet Barkley’s career has been marred by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential compared to Allen's skyrocketing success.
Much like Mayfield, Sam Darnold was seen as the Jets' savior when drafted third overall. His tenure with New York was rocky, filled with highs and lows, and the infamous “seeing ghosts” moment became a metaphor for his struggles. Although Darnold found a momentary spark with the Panthers, he eventually settled as a backup with the 49ers. While his recent performances have shown promise, Darnold's career pales in comparison to Allen's established success and reliability.
Drafted as a cornerback, Denzel Ward has carved out a stellar career, earning multiple Pro Bowl nods and becoming one of the league's top defensive backs. His consistency and impactful play have been vital to the Browns’ defense. However, the nature of the cornerback position makes it challenging to compare his contributions to Allen’s as a quarterback, where the impact is far more pronounced and game-changing.
Edge rusher Bradley Chubb was expected to anchor the Broncos’ defense alongside Von Miller, and while he had a strong start to his career, injuries hampered his potential. After bouncing back and achieving a Pro Bowl selection, Chubb’s trajectory has been marred by missed games. Allen’s impact as a quarterback remains undeniable, whereas Chubb’s has been more situational and dependent on team structure, thus making it easier to argue Allen’s superiority in terms of overall career accomplishments.
Quinton Nelson has established himself as one of the premier offensive guards in the league, consistently earning All-Pro honors and a solid reputation. His presence on the Colts' offensive line has been pivotal for the team, but similarly to Ward, as a guard, his impact is less visible than a quarterback's. That said, evaluating them on the same scale remains challenging; Nelson’s accolades and contributions cannot be overlooked but are positioned differently than Allen's.
As we assess the careers of players drafted before Josh Allen, it is apparent that while many have had their moments of success, Allen's continued rise and impact in the league has set him apart as an elite quarterback. While teams may have made their picks with the best information available, the repercussions of those decisions are now clearer.
The 2018 NFL Draft serves as a reminder of how critical quarterback evaluation is and highlights Allen's journey from an uncertain prospect to a franchise cornerstone. As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, Allen remains a formidable talent, redefining what teams seek in a modern quarterback. As for the teams that overlooked him, the debate surrounding those decisions will persist, but one thing is clear: Josh Allen’s legacy is just beginning.
Part 1/10:
The Rise of Josh Allen: A Look at the 2018 NFL Draft Class
Josh Allen's journey from being the seventh overall pick to becoming one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL is a testament to talent, perseverance, and strategic team decisions. Over the past four years, Allen has consistently ranked as a top quarterback in fantasy football, showcasing a skill set that has dazzled fans and analysts alike. Yet, despite his remarkable success, several players were drafted ahead of him in the 2018 NFL Draft, prompting a reevaluation of decisions made by teams that year.
A Rocky Start and Rapid Ascent
Part 2/10:
Allen's draft story begins in 2018 when uncertainty loomed over the Wyoming standout due to his experience at a smaller college and the level of competition he faced. Many scouts viewed him as a high-risk, high-reward player. The Buffalo Bills, however, took the plunge by selecting him seventh overall. Initial struggles marked Allen’s rookie season, where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns, leading the Bills to a losing record. Yet, with time and maturity, Allen transformed from a tentative rookie to a dominant quarterback, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and even consideration for MVP honors.
Part 3/10:
By the start of the 2024 season, Allen's performance had reached new heights, showcasing his dual-threat capability by throwing for 14 touchdowns with a mere one interception, alongside three rushing touchdowns. Critics who doubted his potential have been silenced as he continues to excel, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier quarterback.
Who Were the Six Players Drafted Ahead of Allen?
Reflecting on Allen's journey inevitably leads to a comparison with the six players selected before him in the 2018 NFL Draft. Let’s break down their careers thus far to see how they stack up against Allen.
Baker Mayfield (1st Overall - Cleveland Browns)
Part 4/10:
When the Cleveland Browns selected Baker Mayfield first overall, expectations were sky-high. As a Heisman Trophy winner, he was heralded as the face of a franchise longing for a turnaround. Despite starting strong and briefly leading the Browns to success, Mayfield's inconsistencies, compounded by injuries and turmoil within the organization, saw him traded to the Panthers after four tumultuous seasons. A surprising resurgence with the Rams, followed by a decent stint with the Buccaneers, suggests that Mayfield is still carving out a respectable career, but his trajectory is certainly not on par with Allen's continued ascent.
Saquon Barkley (2nd Overall - New York Giants)
Part 5/10:
Saquon Barkley was a no-brainer for the New York Giants, considered the best running back prospect in years. His explosive rookie season earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but injuries quickly derailed his career momentum. Most notably, a torn ACL significantly hampered his performance in subsequent seasons. However, his impressive comeback last year hints at a potential return to form with the Philadelphia Eagles, yet Barkley’s career has been marred by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential compared to Allen's skyrocketing success.
Sam Darnold (3rd Overall - New York Jets)
Part 6/10:
Much like Mayfield, Sam Darnold was seen as the Jets' savior when drafted third overall. His tenure with New York was rocky, filled with highs and lows, and the infamous “seeing ghosts” moment became a metaphor for his struggles. Although Darnold found a momentary spark with the Panthers, he eventually settled as a backup with the 49ers. While his recent performances have shown promise, Darnold's career pales in comparison to Allen's established success and reliability.
Denzel Ward (4th Overall - Cleveland Browns)
Part 7/10:
Drafted as a cornerback, Denzel Ward has carved out a stellar career, earning multiple Pro Bowl nods and becoming one of the league's top defensive backs. His consistency and impactful play have been vital to the Browns’ defense. However, the nature of the cornerback position makes it challenging to compare his contributions to Allen’s as a quarterback, where the impact is far more pronounced and game-changing.
Bradley Chubb (5th Overall - Denver Broncos)
Part 8/10:
Edge rusher Bradley Chubb was expected to anchor the Broncos’ defense alongside Von Miller, and while he had a strong start to his career, injuries hampered his potential. After bouncing back and achieving a Pro Bowl selection, Chubb’s trajectory has been marred by missed games. Allen’s impact as a quarterback remains undeniable, whereas Chubb’s has been more situational and dependent on team structure, thus making it easier to argue Allen’s superiority in terms of overall career accomplishments.
Quinton Nelson (6th Overall - Indianapolis Colts)
Part 9/10:
Quinton Nelson has established himself as one of the premier offensive guards in the league, consistently earning All-Pro honors and a solid reputation. His presence on the Colts' offensive line has been pivotal for the team, but similarly to Ward, as a guard, his impact is less visible than a quarterback's. That said, evaluating them on the same scale remains challenging; Nelson’s accolades and contributions cannot be overlooked but are positioned differently than Allen's.
Conclusion: A Reflection on Draft Decisions
Part 10/10:
As we assess the careers of players drafted before Josh Allen, it is apparent that while many have had their moments of success, Allen's continued rise and impact in the league has set him apart as an elite quarterback. While teams may have made their picks with the best information available, the repercussions of those decisions are now clearer.
The 2018 NFL Draft serves as a reminder of how critical quarterback evaluation is and highlights Allen's journey from an uncertain prospect to a franchise cornerstone. As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, Allen remains a formidable talent, redefining what teams seek in a modern quarterback. As for the teams that overlooked him, the debate surrounding those decisions will persist, but one thing is clear: Josh Allen’s legacy is just beginning.