NFL Execs, coaches & players rank Josh Allen #3 QB

[notacon]

The survey of NFL professionals continues with the offense.

More Bills players are honored by NFL professionals with ESPN’s survey for each position.

Added to Matt Milano, Von Miller and Dawson Knox ranked in the top 10, Tre’ White, Poyer and Hyde with honorable mention, Josh Allen is ranked #3 among all QB’s in the NFL.

No surprise but there it is anyway.


Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL's top 10 QB’s for 2023 (https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/37919975/ranking-nfl-top-10-quarterbacks-2023-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-best-passers)




3. Josh Allen (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3918298/josh-allen), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills)

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 5
Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 3


Allen has bolstered his case as a top-three quarterback but hasn't quite experienced the breakthrough that feels inevitable.

He's well ahead of the quarterbacks ranked Nos. 4-10 in the voting, but he was far behind Mahomes and Burrow.
The prolific scorer has 84 total touchdowns since 2021 (71 passing, 13 rushing). He's the only quarterback in NFL history to record three seasons with at least 35 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns.

But his 29 interceptions during that span are the third worst in the league.

"His top 20 plays in a game are as good as Mahomes," a national NFL scout said. "But then Buffalo will go nearly a half and do next to nothing. That doesn't happen to Kansas City."

Allen was still dominant while under duress in 2022 with a 76.2 QBR when under pressure, nearly 23 points higher than the rest of the quarterback field. His 91.2 third-down QBR also led the league.

"If you're starting a team, I'd consider taking him first," an AFC exec said. "He can put a team on his back."
But the Bills ran out of gas in a 27-10 playoff loss (https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401438007) to Cincinnati, the culmination of a year marred by injuries and Damar Hamlin (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4036060/damar-hamlin)'s cardiac arrest (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35368372/damar-hamlin-collapses-field-bills-bengals-temporarily-suspended). The offense also was transitioning to first-year coordinator Ken Dorsey.


"I think he got worn down mentally and physically at the end of last year," the scout said of Allen. "He had a lot on his plate. They didn't seem as creative without [former offensive coordinator Brian] Daboll. Some games it felt like they were throwing it 40 or so times, and he was running it another 10 times or more. He just needed help."




The Top 10…

1. Patrick Mahomes (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3139477/patrick-mahomes), Kansas City Chiefs (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs) – highest ranking - #1 – lowest ranking #2

2. Joe Burrow (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3915511/joe-burrow), Cincinnati Bengals (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals) – highest ranking - #1 – lowest ranking #6

3. Josh Allen (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3918298/josh-allen), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills) – highest ranking - #1 – lowest ranking #5

4. Aaron Rodgers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/8439/aaron-rodgers), New York Jets (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets) – highest ranking - #2 – lowest ranking #8

5. Justin Herbert (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4038941/justin-herbert), Los Angeles Chargers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lac/los-angeles-chargers) – highest ranking - #2 – lowest ranking #9

6. Jalen Hurts (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4040715/jalen-hurts), Philadelphia Eagles (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles) – highest ranking - #3 – lowest ranking #10

7. Lamar Jackson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3916387/lamar-jackson), Baltimore Ravens (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens) – highest ranking - #4 – lowest ranking Unranked

8. Trevor Lawrence (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4360310/trevor-lawrence), Jacksonville Jaguars (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/jax/jacksonville-jaguars) – highest ranking - #4 – lowest ranking Unranked

9. Dak Prescott (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2577417/dak-prescott), Dallas Cowboys (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys) – highest ranking - #7 – lowest ranking Unranked

10. Matthew Stafford (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/12483/matthew-stafford), Los Angeles Rams (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lar/los-angeles-rams) – highest ranking - #5 – lowest ranking Unranked


Honorable Mentions…

Deshaun Watson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3122840/deshaun-watson), Cleveland Browns (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-browns)
Kirk Cousins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14880/kirk-cousins), Minnesota Vikings (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings)
Jared Goff (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3046779/jared-goff), Detroit Lions (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/det/detroit-lions)
Derek Carr (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16757/derek-carr), New Orleans Saints (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/no/new-orleans-saints)
Tua Tagovailoa (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241479/tua-tagovailoa), Miami Dolphins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins)


Some may quibble with the placement of QB’s below the undeniable top three….but the list is pretty credible and as seen through the discerning eyes of NFL professional. We’ll see the usual whining (:yawn:) from a few “fans” who think they know a lot more about football than they actually do.


Interesting tid-bits….the “highest” and “lowest” ranking (as noted above) for each.

Mahomes, Burrow and Allen ALL got at least ONE #1 ranking. The copy for Burrow (lowest ranking #6 below the lowest ranking for Allen #5) observes that “Last year, Burrow cracked the top five after only two NFL seasons. This year, he strengthened his case in the QB pantheon with an overwhelming number of second-place votes.”


Not a surprising result. And difficult to refute.


What is also interesting is the Hurts is not as much a darling with NFL professionals as in the media and a lot of fans.


I believe his #6 ranking is pretty spot on.


What is extremely telling is that Tua barely made an “honorable mention” Surpassed by the likes of Dak (who I think is a chocker and is what is holding back a very talented Cowboys team), Stafford, Watson, Cousins, Car and even Jared Goff.


The copy for Tua was pretty spot on….




Tagovailoa showed massive potential in coach Mike McDaniel's offense. He was dangerous whenever he looked to pass, averaging a league-high 8.9 yards per attempt.

And out of the pocket, he also led the NFL in QBR (87.9).


"I thought the first six-seven weeks of the season last year, he could have been the MVP," an NFL coordinator said. "I was impressed with his growth. Head injuries are complicated, but I like the direction he's headed."


Tagovailoa's durability is a concern among voters after spending multiple stints in the concussion protocol (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35413187/why-dolphins-qb-tua-tagovailoa-now-face-questions-concussions-future). Even aside from that, many don't see him as a top-10 passer.


"He's got very good timing, touch, anticipation and accuracy along with good pocket feel -- he doesn't have top mobility and power/arm strength, so there are some limitations," an AFC executive said. "He's a true point guard type who needs to get it out quickly and distribute to his playmakers, which he's done a good job of.


The other extremely pertinent observation by a NFL scout that “They (the Bills) didn't seem as creative without [former offensive coordinator Brian] Daboll. Some games it felt like they were throwing it 40 or so times, and he was running it another 10 times or more. He just needed help.”

Yep. Too many confused Bills “fans” like to **** on Leslie Frazier (despite the fact that this is McDermott’s defense through and through) but ignore the elephant in the room.

The Bills OFFENSE was the main reason the team did not meet expectations and the loss of Brain Daboll (that more than few posters here cheered when he left) was pretty critical as Ken Dorsey was a definitive downgrade.

Dorsey has to get his head out of his butt this year.

[Buffalogic]

Anyone who legitimately thinks Burrow is better than Allen is just braindead.

[Night Train]

Whatever..

I like Allen and am happy to have him. I get he's good and rankings mean nothing to me.

There's good players at every position. We have a good one at the most important position.

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

Based on last year, I think this is the perfect spot for him

[sukie]

Old people retired in Vegas could come up with this exact list . Takes zero expertise.

[YardRat]

Anyone who legitimately thinks Burrow is better than Allen is just braindead.

He might be.

Burrow progressed to a level where he can be a surgeon, Josh failed to make that step last season.

[THE END OF ALL DAYS]

no one dreamed of having a #3 QB here in Buffalo for 20 years.

[sukie]

Josh was let down by his OLine play and the skinny dude raging up in the booth.

[Kenny]

I cant argue with the ranking. While Josh is more athletically gifted than Burrow (arguably more than even Mahomes), there are too many boneheaded plays.

[OpIv37]

Unfortunately, Burrow and Mahomes have better teams around them than Allen.

[Goobylal]

I don't care. When he was drafted I thought he'd be a bust so #3 is fine with me. But I'd take him over anyone of the other guys, but would take their OCs (Reid and Taylor).

[notacon]

I cant argue with the ranking. While Josh is more athletically gifted than Burrow (arguably more than even Mahomes), there are too many boneheaded plays.

Spot on!!!!

As I’ve been pointing out this exact reality for quite some time.

Oh, wait....yeah....I actually started a thread in Nov 2022 about this very subject.

The Bills Have a QB Problem (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/261680-The-Bills-Have-a-QB-Problem)

Yes. Josh Allen makes way too many boneheaded plays as compared to Burrow, and especially Patrick Mahomes.

The ONLY reason that Cincy went to a SB was that Mahomes made many, MANY boneheaded plays in the AFCC game that year....starting with his inexplicable dumb pass to Hill on 2nd & goal from the Cincy 1 yard line with 5 seconds left in the half.

Then Mahomes played possibly the worst half of football in his career, scoring only 3 points the rest of the game, and playing like a complete cluster**** in OT throwing insanely BAD passes.

The difference between Mahomes and Allen is that Mahomes hardly EVER plays that way. And to a slightly lesser degree, Burrow hardly ever does either. Very rare. Not with Josh.

In any event, 29 other starting QB’s are not that close to the ability and skill level of the top three.

Josh Allen CAN be the “best QB in the NFL”....he just has to get out of his own way to realize it. Josh Allen is a freak. There is literally no QB in history that has all the tools that he has.

None.

He has all the qualities to be one of the best QB’s ever to play the game. Maybe we’ll see him blossom into that over the next 10 years.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

I remain convinced that a guy with Allen's talent and the desire (for now) to be great, he'll win one. As long as Pegula is the owner, I don't think he's ever going to be traded away from Buffalo. I hate to say it --- if it does not happen soon, it could be an Elway situation, who by all accounts, was the most talented QB all coaches said in his era. But Elway had to wait till the twilight of his career when he's no longer a do-it-all guy AND had strong supporting cast as well as a great coach to win it back to back.

[imbondz]

Unfortunately, Burrow and Mahomes have better teams around them than Allen.

Teams or coaches?

[justasportsfan]

He might be.

Burrow progressed to a level where he can be a surgeon, Josh failed to make that step last season.

Burrow had a better OL and Allen lost Daboll.
With that said, I cant stand all the list of Allens achievements on social media by bills mafia even though he hasnt won anything.

[Woodman]

Josh was let down by his OLine play and the skinny dude raging up in the booth.

I wish he were fatter ..... most of the good ones are. :D

[Goobylal]

Burrow had a better OL and Allen lost Daboll.
With that said, I cant stand all the list of Allens achievements on social media by bills mafia even though he hasnt won anything.

Why? Does not winning a team accomplishment like a championship diminish your individual accomplishments somehow?

[Oaf]

Man, to be in the NFC…

[Historian]

Allen is the only one who is a true pocket passer.

He plays offense the way that professionals are supposed to.

Not that nickel and dime/vamping on every play crap.

[YardRat]

Burrow had a better OL and Allen lost Daboll.
With that said, I cant stand all the list of Allens achievements on social media by bills mafia even though he hasnt won anything.

Burrow was playing behind second string scrubs in the playoff game. Not a valid argument.

[gr8slayer]

That's fair. Unfortunately, he (team) just hasn't been able to get over the proverbial hump when it matters most. Hopefully this year, he can stay healthy and push past it.

[notacon]

Burrow was playing behind second string scrubs in the playoff game. Not a valid argument.

Oh please. Smearing lineman as “second string scrubs” is unnecessary.

For that matter, the Bills D-Line was also playing (by your definition) with two “second string scrubs” as well as the the safety position being played by a THIRD string “scrub”. Burrow lucked out by not having to deal with Von Miller or Daquan Jones.

The fact is that the Bengal O-Line played better than the Bills O-line in that game and part of that was because the Bills were missing two critical D-linemen.

It’s no surprise that the O-line has been revamped with a fairly high profile FA signing (Connor McGovern) and a premium draft pick (O’Cyrus Torrence) and a significant depth FA signing of David Edwards who was a Super Bowl winning starter in that game.

In any event, Burrow simply played much better game than Josh Allen, who was saddled with a poor performing O-line with the loss of Daboll becoming more and more glaringly bad as the season progressed.

But all of that does not explain the sometimes boneheaded mistakes that Josh made (throughout the season), that had nothing to do with O-line performance OR play calling. THAT is why Burrow is slightly more justified as #2 ahead of Josh....and Mahomes is clearly deserving of #1....by more than a slight margin....over both Burrow and Allen.

Plus all there of those QB’s being more than slightly ahead of the rest of the QB’s in the NFL.

I do agree with your statement that "Burrow progressed to a level where he can be a surgeon, Josh failed to make that step last season."