Reports have connected the Browns to Wyoming QB Josh Allen dating back to January, but it there has been more and more buzz about Allen possibly being the first pick in the draft in the past 24 hours.
According to Dane Brugler, the whispers are growing “louder and louder” about the Browns opening the draft by selecting Allen at No. 1 overall.
Yesterday, Daniel Jeremiah (per Marcus Mosher) said on the NFL Network that “people that know people inside the Browns” fully expect Allen to be the first pick in the draft.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com mentioned during the “Journey To The Draft” Podcast on PhiladelphiaEagles.com that he has also heard from sources that Allen to the Browns “is not just smoke” and he could be the first pick in the draft.
“I don’t know about breaking it here necessarily, but I’m getting that from places that I trust that Josh Allen … this is not gonna be just smoke,” Zierlein said. “This is a very real thing that has a good chance of happening.”
Last week, a friend of Browns GM John Dorsey told Peter King of the TheMMQB.com that he believes Cleveland will open the draft by taking Allen and then look to get RB Saquon Barkley at No. 4 overall.
“I would be surprised if he traded down,” King’s source said. “This would be his chance to take his two offensive cornerstones for the next eight or 10 years.”
A veteran college scout who spoke to King a few months ago said he was convinced that there’s “no way” Dorsey will pass on Allen with the No. 1 overall pick.
“I believe there is no way Cleveland, at number one, will pass on [Wyoming quarterback] Josh Allen,” the scout tells King. “This is [Carson] Wentz reincarnated. Allen’s a perfect Dorsey quarterback. Just watch.”
An NFC personnel guy who spoke with Ian O’Connor is also convinced that the Browns will take Allen at No. 1 overall.
Allen, 21, impressive arm and overall skill set, but there are concerns about his accuracy and how this will impact him at the next level. Throughout the draft process, Allen has done a good job of trying to alleviate some of the concerns about his accuracy, but many would still be surprised to see him be the top pick in the draft.
During his college career at Wyoming, Allen threw for 4,912 yards while completing 56.2 percent of his passes to go along with 41 touchdowns 21 interceptions over the course of 26 games. He also rushed for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns for Wyoming.
For what it’s worth, we have the Browns taking Darnold at No. 1 and then DE Bradley Chubb at No. 4 overall in our latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft.
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I wouldn’t believe this at first but after the Browns signed Stanton I can believe Allen could be drafted first. He’ll have at least 2 years to learn. I also like Chubb at 4.