There is a new class of quarterbacks in the AFC East, but that doesn’t mean they’re equal.
Josh Allen is the unquestioned leader of this group. Everybody else is just playing catch up.
When the Buffalo Bills selected Allen at No. 7 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, they were, once again, starting over under center, taking a quarterback in the first round for the third time this millennium. J.P. Losman and E.J. Manuel were epic flameouts. Some thought Allen would flop as well.
Three years later, we can say the doubters were absolutely wrong.
Now the only question with Allen centers around what his upcoming nine-figure extension will look like. He’s the undoubted franchise guy in Buffalo.
It’s tempting to categorize all of the young quarterbacks in the division together. After all, they’re all first round picks who were taken just a few years between each other. Allen is the oldest one at 25.
But that’s too simplistic. Allen is a bonafide star. Meanwhile, we still don’t know if Mac Jones is going to beat out Cam Newton.
One could say Tua Tagovailoa struggled to firmly supplant Ryan Fitzpatrick last season.
We’ll start with the New York Jets, who took BYU’s Zach Wilson on Thursday with the No. 2 overall pick. While Wilson put up monstrous numbers last season — 73.5% completion rate, 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns — there are still questions about how he’ll fare against better competition. The "Gang Green" just completed another overhaul, hiring Robert Saleh to be their fourth head coach since 2009.
As we’ve learned, organizational stability is paramount when it comes to developing quarterbacks. Sean McDermott has built one of the best operations in football, with Allen shining under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. He’s improved in each of his three seasons, and took the MVP leap last year, completing 69.2% of his passes for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns — along with eight rushing touchdowns.
Conceivably, Jones will enjoy that kind of structure with the Patriots, which is why the Alabama standout is probably thrilled he dropped to New England at No. 15 in this year's draft. There are questions about Jones’ skill level, however, with some analysts labeling him a second round talent. It’s safe to surmise he was the fifth-best quarterback in this years class.
Bill Belichick pledged Cam Newton is still his starter on Thursday, and that makes sense. Of the past 11 quarterbacks drafted in the top-10, dating to 2017, only three got the start Week 1.
Tagovailoa received his first start Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams, and the Miami Dolphins won four of his first five outings. But it’s worth noting that Fitzpatrick spelled Tagovailoa late in games on two occasions.
Last week, the Dolphins added to Tagovailoa’s weaponry with the selection of his former Alabama teammate, Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick. However, it remains to be seen whether Tagovailoa can be a prolific passer at the NFL level.
There are no more questions with Allen. Every other team in the division is on a multi-year plan at quarterback. Buffalo’s time is right now.