Players Drafted Ahead of Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL DraftPlayers Drafted Ahead of Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft 1. Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) * Rookie of the Year in 2018 * Inconsistent performances and injuries hindered success in Cleveland * Traded to Carolina Panthers in 2022, then Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 * Signed a $100 million extension with Tampa Bay 2. Saquon Barkley (New York Giants) * Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 * Struggled to win games with Giants * Signed with Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 to pursue first championship 3. Sam Darnold (New York Jets) * Failed to lead Jets to consistent success * Lost starting job to Zach Wilson in 2021 * Traded to Carolina Panthers in 2022, then joined Minnesota Vikings in 2024 4. Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns) * All-Pro cornerback for Browns * Highest-paid cornerback in NFL history * Cornerstone of Cleveland’s defense 5. Bradley Chubb (Denver Broncos) * Promising start with 12 sacks as a rookie * Tore ACL in 2019 * Traded to Miami Dolphins in 2022 6. Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis Colts) * Pro Bowl and All-Pro every season since entering NFL * Anchors the Colts’ offensive line * Highest-paid player at his position
While Josh Allen was the 7th pick in the 2018 NFL draft, five teams passed on him (the Cleveland Browns had two picks in the top 5). He was also the third quarterback taken in his draft class. Now that he’s become a franchise cornerstone for the Buffalo Bills, it’s easy to wonder what the careers of the players taken before him have been like six years later. Read on to find out.
1. Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns
The first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield entered the league with high expectations to end a 16-year playoff drought. He showed promise in his rookie season, setting the rookie touchdown pass record with 27. However, his time in Cleveland was marred by inconsistency, coaching changes and injuries.
After four seasons, the Browns moved on from Mayfield, sending him to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional fifth-round pick. After spending the 2022 season as a reserve for the Panthers and Rams, Mayfield has finally found a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who signed him to a three-year, $100 million extension.
2. Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
As impressive as Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield’s rookie seasons were, Barkley earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018. His combination of power, speed and agility made him one of the most exciting players to watch. However, the Giants could never win games. In his first four seasons, the Giants won just 19 games combined.
After six years with the team, Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to try to win his first title.
3. Sam Darnold – New York Jets
Like Mayfield, the New York Jets expected Sam Darnold to be the franchise’s savior. Unfortunately, the Jets never won more than eight games in a season during Darnold’s three years as the starter. Heading into 2021, the Jets hoped to solve their quarterback woes by drafting Zach Wilson, but that yielded the same results.
Darnold’s struggles continued, and he eventually lost the starting QB job to fellow draftee Baker Mayfield while with the Panthers. He has spent the last two years as a reserve, but now gets a chance to become the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings to begin the 2024 season.
4. Denzel Ward – Cleveland Browns
The Browns had another chance to draft Josh Allen with the fourth overall pick, but instead selected cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward has proven to be a cornerstone of the Browns defense throughout his career, earning Pro Bowl honors and establishing himself as a top-tier cornerback in the league.
While the Browns struggled to win, you can’t blame Ward for not working hard enough. The Browns would eventually reward him with a five-year, $100.5 million extension in 2022, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
5. Bradley Chubb – Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos used the fifth overall pick to draft Bradley Chubb, primarily to team up with Von Miller to wreak havoc at outside linebacker. Like most of the top four picks, Chubb had a promising start to his career with 12 sacks. But a year later, he tore his ACL.
Despite the setbacks, Chubb remains a talented player in the league. However, with the Broncos’ quarterback situation a persistent problem since Peyton Manning’s retirement, the team has decided to hit the reset button, opting to trade Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 for Chase Edmunds and two future draft picks.
6. Quenton Nelson – Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts knew exactly what they were getting when they drafted Quenton Nelson at No. 6 overall, one spot above Josh Allen. Since entering the NFL, he has been named to the Pro Bowl every season and has been named First-Team All-Pro three times.
His size, strength and technical ability have anchored the Colts’ offensive line and provided stability for their running game and pass protection. It came as no surprise when he signed an extension in 2022, making Nelson the highest-paid player at his position.
