The name that has been in every ones lips from Draft blogs, websites, social media to the talking heads on ESPN is not Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or even Baker Mayfield, but Wyoming QB, Josh Allen.
Allen, a 6’5 235-pound junior gunslinger, has risen from being a fringe Heisman Trophy dark horse to possibly being the top overall QB prospect in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.
In 11 games as a starter for the Cowboys, Allen passed for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns and completed 56.3 percent of his passes.
While his numbers are not as gaudy as those of Rosen, Darnold or even Mayfield, Allen’s potential QB star and draft stock has steadily risen, due to teams desperately looking for their next franchise quarterback.
Below is my top five likely spots where he may land.
Cleveland Browns: Armed with the No.1 and No.4 picks–as of press time–and a mandate from owner Jimmy Haslam to his newly-hired GM John Dorsey to take a QB, Cleveland is the most likely spot on this list.
That combined with the recent report of Cleveland leaning towards Allen at No.1, thanks to his height and arm talent. Don’t be shocked if Cleveland pulls the trigger on him early.
New York Jets: With a QB corps of Christian Hackenburg and Josh McCown, and no truly defined answer under center, don’t be surprised if Allen is a potential hot commodity that Gang Green may consider.
Arizona Cardinals: With reports of Bruce Arians stepping away from the team, and Carson Palmer in the twilight of his career, Arizona may be ready to move in a new direction at both coach and likely quarterback,
Buffalo Bills: With Tyrod Taylor set to hit the open market, and Nathan Peterman still an unproven commodity, Buffalo may be in the market to grab a quarterback of Allen’s skill set in the first round.
Denver Broncos: Perhaps the best landing spot outside of Cleveland, is the Mile High City. With the fifth overall pick in the draft, one below Cleveland’s second first-round pick at No.4, Denver has an immediate need at QB thanks to the ineffectiveness of Trevor Siemian and 2016 first round pick, Paxton Lynch. Likely to pursue a veteran QB, the Broncos could either roll the dice in free agency to try to trade up for Allen.