This is the biggest boom-or-bust pick in the draft. Allen has all the physical tools that teams look for at quarterback, and he’s tailor-made to play in the cold, windy weather in Buffalo: size (6-foot-5, 237 pounds), a cannon for an arm, top-tier athleticism, and the toughness to stand in the pocket and throw the ball downfield.
But it takes more than just physical traits to play quarterback at the highest level, and Allen’s
major lack of accuracy and inability to quickly process what’s going on in front of him are huge red flags. Accuracy rarely improves as quarterbacks make the jump from college to the pros: Windows in which to throw only get smaller and defenses are infinitely faster and more complex. Allen will need to improve his footwork and show he can throw with better accuracy and ball placement if he’s going to succeed as a pro. Allen is a major project for new Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who must devise a scheme that creates well-defined reads and doesn’t ask Allen to do too much on his own. Allen provides plenty of upside, but he comes at a high cost and has more bust potential than any of the other top-tier passers in this class.
Fit: B+
Value: C-
