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Grading the first-round rookie QBs at the halfway point of the season

By Joel Deering

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in action during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in action during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 14: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills rolls out in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 14: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills rolls out in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

7th Overall Pick – Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills

Games Started: 5

Record in Games Started: 2-3

Passing Stats: 54% completions for 832 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs and QB rating of 61.8.

Rushing Stats: 35 attempts for 155 yards and 3 TDs.

Analysis: The concern for Josh Allen coming out of college was about his accuracy. He never completed more than 56.3% of his passes as a starter at Wyoming. His completion percentage has been worse than that in his short NFL career. Allen has the worst completion percentage among all the first-round rookie QBs.

What was intriguing about Allen coming out of college was his big arm and athletic ability. Allen may not always be accurate, but he sure can get the ball down the field. He’s also a good playmaker with his feet, as evidenced by his 155 rushing yards and three rushing TDs.

Even though Allen has been able to make the occasional big play, he hasn’t looked great overall. He’s thrown three more INTs than TDs. Among the five first-round rookie QBs, Allen ranks fifth in QB rating, fifth in completion percentage, fourth in TD passes and fourth in passing yards. His rushing yards rank first among this group, but he’s a QB, not a RB.

Allen has missed the last couple of games with an injury, which is one reason why his rankings are lower. He’d likely have more yards and TDs if he’d played the last two games, but he’d also have more turnovers. Josh Allen has a long way to go to prove he’s the future at QB for the Bills.

Grade: D+

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