The 2018 NFL Draft heavily focused on quarterbacks, with five key signal-callers expected to be chosen in the first round: Wyoming’s Josh Allen, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, USC’s Sam Darnold, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson. Each franchise with an early pick was weighing which quarterback would best lead their team in the coming years.
How the Original Draft Unfolded and Its Immediate Effects
The Cleveland Browns, holding the first overall pick after their winless 0-16 season, selected Baker Mayfield. Mayfield then played four seasons before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2022 following Cleveland’s acquisition of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The New York Jets used their third pick to draft Sam Darnold, who spent three seasons there before moving on to the Panthers after the Jets chose BYU’s Zach Wilson at No. 2 in 2021. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills selected Josh Allen seventh overall. Since then, Allen has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks, earning his first league MVP award last season. Lamar Jackson, picked 32nd by the Baltimore Ravens, also stands out as a top contender with two MVP titles.
Imagining the 2018 NFL Draft With Josh Allen Going First to Cleveland
Pro Football Focus (PFF) re-examined the 2018 draft by applying their grading metrics and suggested that the Browns would have been better off selecting Josh Allen first overall. PFF highlighted Allen’s progression from modest grades in his initial seasons to five consecutive seasons with exceptional performance scores. The analysis stated,
“Mayfield certainly looked the part of a starting quarterback, even a franchise-caliber quarterback, in 2023 and 2024, but Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson would still be the choice here.”
It raised the question of how Allen’s career might have differed had he been in Cleveland rather than Buffalo.
Factors Shaping Josh Allen’s Development and Potential Challenges With Cleveland
Coming out of Wyoming, Allen faced criticism for accuracy and turnover problems, which followed him into his early NFL years. However, under the guidance of Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Brian Daboll—who is currently the New York Giants’ head coach—Allen refined his mechanics and improved his game significantly. This partnership has been critical in Allen’s rise. By contrast, the Browns have struggled to identify and develop a consistent quarterback since their return to the NFL in 1999. This historical challenge raises doubts about whether they could have successfully nurtured Allen’s raw talent and maximized his potential.
The Broader Impact of Allen’s Selection by Buffalo
The Bills’ decision to draft Josh Allen has provided their franchise with a dynamic leader who has transformed their offense and delivered consistent success. Conversely, had the Browns taken Allen, his career trajectory might have looked very different, potentially lacking the polish and growth he achieved in Buffalo. This scenario illustrates how team environment, coaching, and development resources play crucial roles in shaping a quarterback’s future. As the Browns continue their search for a franchise quarterback, the contrast with Allen’s Buffalo tenure remains a compelling “what if” question for NFL fans and analysts alike.