:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63208011/josh_allen_hdr_mode_1.0.jpg)
Josh Allen had arguably the best season of any Kentucky Football defensive player of all time in 2018. He recorded 88 tackles, 17 of which were sacks, five forced fumbles and four pass deflections.
He was a leader on the field and off of it, and he helped lead Kentucky to their best season in over 30 years. He accomplished something not many people can say, and now, he’s ready for the next step in his career - the NFL.
After the Citrus Bowl, Josh Allen went to the podium and uttered these famous words: “You all record this. If I don’t go No. 1, I don’t know who is.” Josh is confident in his ability and clearly believes he is the best player in this year’s NFL Draft.
Why wouldn’t he? He was a consensus All-American, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and he won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Award as the best defensive player in the country.
With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, we have compiled the opinions of some of the leading draft experts. Here is what they are saying about where Josh Allen might land:
Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)
No. 2 to the 49ers
“Allen (6-5, 250) is just a step behind Bosa on my board,” Kiper wrote. “Two former first-round picks along the defensive line (Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas) have struggled in San Francisco, but neither has the pure pass-rushing ability of Allen, who had 17 sacks and five forced fumbles last season.”
Todd McShay (ESPN)
No. 4 to the Raiders
“Allen himself out-sacked the Raiders in 2018, recording 17 coming off the edge for Kentucky. If the Jets don’t take him at No. 3, he fits a big need here,” McShay wrote.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.COM)
No. 4 to the Raiders
”The Raiders have needs all over the field, but none more important than their pass rush,” Jeremiah said. “Allen fits the bill.”
Peter Schrager (NFL.COM)
No. 3 to the Jets
“He’s one of those prospects who is expected to light the NFL Scouting Combine on fire with his athleticism,” Schrager wrote. “The Jets have needs on both sides of the ball. Get as many great players as possible this offseason.”
Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)
No. 4 to the Raiders
“Allen had a stellar combine (4.64 40) and his production at Kentucky makes him one of the most explosive edge rushers in this class,” Wilson said.
Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)
No. 2 to the 49ers
“Everyone expects Allen to erupt in Indianapolis, and such a development -- along with his 17 sacks in 2018 at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds -- would make him a very appealing prospect here for the edge-needy 49ers,” Trapasso said.
So, as it stands, it looks like Josh Allen will not be selected first overall to the Arizona Cardinals. Instead, he is bouncing around the 2-4 range according to most predictions. All of these teams are in desperate need of some outside help, and Allen can fill that need.
As the draft gets closer, these picks will be more accurate, but it does look like Joey Bosa is the consensus No. 1 pick to this point. Mark Stoops and Josh Allen are going to have to do some major selling for us to see Allen taken with the first overall pick.