Individual classification: Bhanpuri: 4 | Blair: 4 | Filice: 2 | Parr: 3
2020 Statistics: 16 games | 69.2 pct | 4,544 passing yards | 7.9 ypa | 37 pass TD | 10 INT | 421 rush yards | Rush rush TD | 6 fumbles themT
Next game: vs. Baltimore Ravens | Saturday, January 16 at 8:15 pm Eastern Time (NBC, Universe)
Blair: There is probably only one quarterback on this list (or currently in our universe) that I would like for ANY situation, and Allen is not that person right now. But it’s alright. Because I’m not putting you in an existing system or surrounding you with a list of few talents. I’m building AROUND it – which means I can just copy what Bills did.
Unlike Allen’s QBs who have fought (or the vast majority of young discarded QBs), Allen played for the same coach (Sean McDermott) and offensive coordinator (Brian Daboll), with the same general manager (Brandon Beane) directing the front office, during all three years of his career. Allen had time to grow and learn, while the McDermott-Daboll-Beane triad had time to implement a plan to build on Allen’s strengths and minimize his weaknesses. This increases my confidence that Allen’s breakup in 2020 is not an unexpected surprise, but a real bloom, the best scenario for developing a highly elaborate defender in an era when it is practically impossible to let someone learn on the bench. Consider how Allen’s steady improvement year on year has accompanied the increase in quality of his main receiving goal each season (by Next Gen Stats):
2018: Zay Jones, 67 targets; 74.5 passer rating when targeting Jones
2019: John Brown, 110 targets; 103.7 passer rating when targeting Brown
2020: Stefon Diggs, 166 targets; 115.4 passer rating when targeting Diggs
Bills is clearly giving him what he needs to thrive, both in supporting talent and training. There’s still a little bit of chaotic energy in Allen’s game that can always make you a little prone to spins, but sign me up for another three seasons of a growing dynamo that can burn you with your legs and arm.