Josh Allen's 2018 NFL Draft Class

What's up, football fanatics! Today, we're diving deep into the 2018 NFL Draft class, the year that blessed us with some serious talent, including our very own Josh Allen. You know, the guy slinging rockets for the Buffalo Bills. But he wasn't alone in that draft, oh no! There were a bunch of other dudes who came into the league that same year, and some of them have gone on to do some pretty amazing things too. We're talking quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, defenders – the whole nine yards. It's always super interesting to look back at a draft class and see who was picked where, especially when you have a superstar like Allen leading the charge. It gives you perspective on how teams build their rosters and how different players develop over time. Did your favorite team snag a gem? Or maybe they missed out on a future Hall of Famer? We're going to break down some of the key players from that 2018 draft, focusing on those who were taken around the same time as Josh Allen and also highlighting some other absolute studs that emerged. Get ready to reminisce about the picks, the surprises, and the undeniable talent that Josh Allen's draft class brought to the NFL. It’s a journey through the early careers of some of the league's brightest stars, and trust me, it’s a story worth telling. We'll explore not just the quarterbacks, but the impact players at every position who made that draft year so memorable. So buckle up, because we're about to take a trip down memory lane with some of the best talent the NFL has seen in recent years.

Quarterbacks Who Were Drafted Alongside Josh Allen

Alright guys, let's talk about the elephant in the room, or in this case, the quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft class. Since Josh Allen was a big-name QB prospect, it's only natural to see who else was vying for the top quarterback spots that year. Now, Allen wasn't the first QB off the board, which might surprise some of you. That honor went to Baker Mayfield, who was picked first overall by the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield had a stellar college career at Oklahoma and was seen as a can't-miss prospect. Following him was Sam Darnold, taken third overall by the New York Jets. Darnold came from USC with a lot of hype, and the Jets were hoping he'd be their franchise savior. Then came Josh Allen at number seven, heading to Buffalo. The Bills clearly saw something special in his raw talent and big arm, even if his college stats weren't as polished as some others. The final first-round quarterback taken that year was Josh Rosen, selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Rosen had a smooth, pro-style game from UCLA and was expected to lead the Cardinals. So, that's your first-round QB quartet: Mayfield, Darnold, Allen, and Rosen. It's pretty wild to think about how their careers have unfolded differently since then. Some have found more success, some have bounced around, and others are still trying to establish themselves. This QB group from Josh Allen's draft class is a classic example of how unpredictable the quarterback position can be in the NFL draft. You can have all the hype in the world, but translating that to NFL success is a whole different ballgame. It really makes you appreciate the journey each of these guys has taken and the challenges they've faced. The pressure to perform immediately is immense, and it’s fascinating to see how each player has handled it. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from all of them at different points, and it’s a testament to their talent and hard work. The narrative around these quarterbacks often shifts, and it’s a constant battle to prove doubters wrong and solidify their place in the league.

Impact Players Beyond the Quarterbacks

While the quarterback class of 2018 was definitely a headliner, you guys know that an NFL draft is about so much more than just the guys under center. Josh Allen's draft class was absolutely loaded with talent at pretty much every other position. Seriously, some absolute monsters were taken that year who have made massive impacts on their teams and the league as a whole. Let's talk about some of the non-QB studs. Right after Josh Allen was picked, the Saints grabbed Marcus Davenport at 14 overall. Davenport, a defensive end from UTSA, was a bit of a raw, athletic specimen that the Saints hoped could develop into a dominant pass rusher. And he's certainly shown flashes of that potential. Further down in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Terrell Edmunds at 28 overall. Edmunds, a safety from Virginia Tech, was brought in to bolster their secondary. He's become a solid and versatile piece for the Steelers defense. But the real fireworks started happening in the later rounds and beyond the first round. Think about Derrick Henry, the absolute beast of a running back. He was a second-round pick (45th overall) by the Tennessee Titans. Henry has gone on to become one of the most dominant and physically imposing running backs the league has ever seen, breaking records and carrying the Titans offense for years. Talk about a steal! Then you have guys like Lamar Jackson, who, while he was a quarterback, was picked after Allen (32nd overall by the Ravens). He's since won an MVP and completely changed the game with his electrifying play. But looking at other positions, consider Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver taken 26th overall by the Atlanta Falcons. He had some explosive seasons before stepping away from the game. On defense, Freddie Warner, a linebacker taken 79th overall in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers, has become an absolute tackling machine and one of the best linebackers in the NFL. It’s players like these, drafted in the mid-to-later rounds, who often prove to be the backbone of successful franchises. They might not have the immediate hype of a top-10 pick, but their consistent performance and leadership are invaluable. This Josh Allen draft class really showed us that talent can be found at any point in the draft, and sometimes the best players are the ones who are overlooked early on. It’s a great reminder for fantasy football players and armchair GMs alike to keep an eye on those later-round gems!

Surprises and Steals from the 2018 Draft

Every NFL draft has its share of surprises, and the 2018 class, the same one that brought us Josh Allen, was no exception. Sometimes teams reach for players, sometimes incredibly talented guys fall way lower than expected. It's these twists and turns that make draft day so captivating, guys. One of the biggest narratives surrounding the QB picks was the order. As we mentioned, Josh Allen wasn't the first QB off the board, and seeing how he's developed into an MVP-caliber player while Mayfield, Darnold, and even Rosen have had more up-and-down careers is a huge talking point. It’s a prime example of the draft being more of an art than a science. Another significant surprise was the value some teams got in later rounds. Remember Derrick Henry? A second-round pick who has arguably been the most dominant offensive player from this class for stretches. That’s the kind of value that can completely change a franchise. On the flip side, there were also players who were expected to make a bigger splash but haven't quite lived up to the initial hype. It's tough to call specific players