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While expectations are high, there might be safer options available in the later rounds
As Josh Allen heads into his third season as the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, expectations remain high that he can become the team’s franchise quarterback. Expectations may even be higher for the Buffalo quarterback among fantasy owners, with Allen be projected by many as a top-ten option this season.
Look no further than the consensus quarterback rankings at ESPN.com to get an idea of what the expectations are like for Allen. Locked in at the eight spot, Allen comes in ranked higher than Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. The only quarterback ranked higher than Allen from the 2018 draft class is Lamar Jackson, who was ranked as the top quarterback (ahead of Patrick Mahomes).
Allen is an attractive option as a QB1 thanks to his ability to score touchdowns on the ground. With nine rushing touchdowns in 2019, and eight during the 2018 season, Allen has cemented himself as a dual-threat quarterback that fantasy owners love. It will be interesting to see if Allen has the same number of red-zone rushing opportunities in 2020, as the team added a physical running back in Zack Moss during the NFL Draft.
Personally there is concern on my part that Allen will see a regression in his rushing touchdowns this season. The addition of Moss, and any improvement from Devin Singletary in year two, could limit the number of carries that Allen gets in the red zone. I see this as a positive for the Bills, as it could make Allen less susceptible to big hits, but would be considered a negative from a fantasy perspective.
I do expect Allen to improve as a passer this season, thanks in large part to the addition of wide receiver Stefon Diggs. As one of the top route runners in the NFL, Diggs will add a new dimension to the Buffalo offense. A new number-one receiver should help Allen take another step as a passer this season, and this progression will be one of the top story lines for fantasy football owners this season.
Marino’s Take
I am a fan of Josh Allen and continue to have high hopes for him to improve again this season as the quarterback for the Bills. With that being said, I am looking at other options as the starting quarterback of my fantasy team in 2020. Consistency is key for me when it comes to a fantasy quarterback, and I am comfortable waiting on one of the more veteran options who may be available. This could include a number of quarterbacks who are currently listed below Allen in consensus rankings as listed above.
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