ESPN’s Mel Kiper thinks Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen will be the top pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
He explained the following on ESPN:
My evaluations on this quarterback class are really close. I’ve gone back and forth a few times on Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Allen, but I just moved Allen up to my No. 1 quarterback. His numbers aren’t impressive, I know. But the NFL is all about projection, and he has a high ceiling. Coaches want to work with the 6-foot-5 Allen because he has all of the tools. I said last month that he is one of my favorite prospects in this class. The other top quarterbacks have warts, and there is no slam-dunk No. 1 prospect, which makes it a fun class.
Hard pass here, Mel. I think Allen has the tools to be a great quarterback in the NFL, but having the tools and being a great quarterback are two very different things.
There’s no chance I’m taking Allen over Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield. I just don’t see enough there to justify the risk of taking him over the proven commodities of those three.
Allen is first round talent for sure. Don’t mistake what I’m saying here at all. The guy has all the potential in the world. I’m just way higher on the other three, especially Rosen.
Then again, I’m not an NFL general manager for a reason. Maybe they see something I don’t.