There’s been a whole lot of buzz and rumor surrounding the Cleveland Browns, who own the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. For months now, Josh Allen out of Wyoming has been linked to this pick, but one report indicates he’s been ruled out.
Peter King of The MMQB, in his mock draft this Tuesday, wrote, “And someone I trust, who is very often right and is very well-connected, told me Sunday it’s not Allen.”
King also cited NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who rightfully pointed out the Browns have made far too many mistakes at this position in the past and cannot take a gamble with this first pick.
Make no mistake about it, taking Allen atop the draft would be akin to taking out your life savings and placing the entire lump sum on a long shot at the Kentucky Derby.
We detailed Allen’s accuracy issues a bit recently. They go back to his playing days in high school, through community college and into his tenure at Wyoming. Even more than just being an inaccurate passer, Allen lacks awareness at the line of scrimmage and makes some godawful mistakes throwing into coverage. He’s not ready to be an NFL starter. Not by a long shot.
Still, Allen has an arm that has teams dreaming big. He makes throws other quarterbacks struggle to make without even trying. And when he’s set in the pocket, has time to deliver and sees the defense correctly, he’s a magician (here’s a great example).
So despite being the riskiest pick in the draft, Allen most certainly will be selected early. If the Browns don’t do it atop the draft, we’d be shocked if Allen fell outside the top five. One team will take a gamble. Hopefully for the Browns and their fans, it won’t be them.