(Photo: Buffalo Rumblings)
6. Josh Allen: And just like that, we’re five players in with only five remaining! At this point in the project, I always find myself saying how quickly it goes by. Haven’t I also said that when I’m brainstorming for this project, certain names automatically come to mind? This is one of them. When the Buffalo Bills drafted him in 2018, I said to myself, “They’ve finally drafted their Quarterback. Let’s see what he can become.” Fast forward to today, and you can’t talk about the best Quarterbacks in football without bringing his name into the conversation. For the third consecutive year, Josh Allen returns to my list, checking in at No. 6 overall and as my second-ranked Quarterback entering this season.
When Josh first entered the league, everyone knew about the arm strength and athleticism that separated him from the other Quarterbacks in his draft class. The biggest question surrounding him was whether he could develop into a consistent passer, and I think he’s answered that question emphatically. Josh has evolved from relying solely on his physical gifts into one of the smartest and most efficient Quarterbacks in football while still making plays that others can’t even think about attempting. When you watch No. 17, the first thing you notice is his mobility, and that’s what makes him such a nightmare for opposing defenses. I don’t consider him a Quarterback who simply scrambles to get out of trouble. Josh is a legitimate rushing threat every time the football is in his hands. At 6’5″ and 240 pounds, he combines the size of a Tight End with the athleticism of someone much smaller. Now let’s talk about the arm talent. There isn’t a throw on the football field that Josh can’t make, whether it’s a deep ball outside the numbers, a fastball over the middle, or an off-platform throw while escaping pressure. He can attack any window, and more often than not, he has the arm strength to fit the football into the tightest coverage before defenders have time to react. He’s also able to change arm angles without sacrificing velocity. What has impressed me the most about Josh is his growth from the mental side of the position. Early in his career, he relied too heavily on his arm and forced too many passes into coverage, and when you do that, turnovers happen. Now he does a much better job of taking what the defense gives him, working through his progressions, and checking the ball down when necessary. He’s learned that sometimes the smart play is the best play instead of always chasing the home run play.
Josh is as tough as they come, and I noticed that specifically in the Wild Card Round this year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville threw a variety of defensive looks at him, and he absorbed hit after hit throughout the game. There were moments when I honestly wondered how much more punishment he could take, but he understood that if the Bills were going to win that football game, he had to be on the field. He did exactly that and earned the first road playoff victory of his career. The Bills have become perennial contenders because of the Quarterback they have under center and the way he elevates everyone around him. Josh has the rare ability to erase mistakes with one throw or one scramble, and the confidence he displays is contagious throughout the entire football team, especially the offense. I’ve often compared him to Ben Roethlisberger, but I think he’s a better passer and more athletic than Ben ever was.
