ESPN's Bill Barnwell just put a number on the hypothetical cost to trade for Bills QB Josh Allen, and you are not going to believe it: seven first-round picks. Yeah, you read that right. Seven. It's a wild thought experiment, considering Allen is locked down and not going anywhere, but it sure puts his value into perspective.
The "Impossible Valuation" Is Real
Barnwell wasn't just throwing numbers out there for fun. He called Allen the "most impossible valuation in the league." Think about it: when has a player of Allen's caliber and impact ever been traded in football? The answer is never, and frankly, it probably never will be. That's why even trying to put a price tag on him feels so out there. Barnwell explains Allen "isn't going anywhere anytime soon" because he signed a new contract just a year ago. It's not a real scenario, but it highlights just how unique his situation is across the league.Why Seven Picks Isn't Even The Craziest Part
So, seven first-rounders is the baseline Barnwell threw out there. But here's where it gets even crazier: he suggests that number could actually be *low* if Allen ever, somehow, hit the trade market. "If he did suddenly hit the trade market, though? Teams would be competing against each other to acquire enough first-round picks to satisfy Buffalo's demands for what would be a historic deal," Barnwell writes. He even wonders if the number would be "five? Six? Nine? 10?" He's right, "It's a lot, whatever it is, and nobody would cost more." This isn't just about getting a good player; it's about getting a generational talent, and that's why teams would be emptying their draft cupboards in a chase like we've never seen. It just shows how truly special and valuable Allen is to any team lucky enough to have him. Look, no one actually thinks Allen is going anywhere. Buffalo is thrilled to have him, and he's happy right where he is in Western New York. This whole thought experiment just hammers home how truly special and valuable he is to that franchise. It shows why some players are just untouchable, even if you had all the first-rounders in the world.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.