Cleveland Browns Senior Bowl watch: Quarterback Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a quarterback, but Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is a divisive draft prospect. Can he beat the narrative about Big 12 quarterbacks and find success at the NFL level?

The 2018 NFL Draft is brimming with quarterback talent from top to bottom. Out of the top-tier of signal-callers, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is perhaps the most interesting.

Mayfield breaks the traditional quarterback mold in almost every single way. In both physical and mental aspects, Mayfield is so different that many scouts are afraid of him. But really, should they be so nervous? Let’s break Mayfield down.

The worries that seem to follow Mayfield can be separated into two groups: character concerns and what we will call “gimmick concerns.”

First off are the character problems that some scouts have with Mayfield. Namely, the fact that he was arrested in February of 2016 and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing and resisting arrest. The last charge was later dropped. He can also come off as cocky during his games.

Although a definite eyebrow raiser and a red flag for some, others can choose to brush the arrest off as a one-time offense. Mayfield has likely learned and grown since then, so some fans and scouts are likely to dismiss it.

On the other hand, some analysts commend Mayfield for his fiery leadership during games. Mayfield plays with a massive chip on his shoulder, and it shows with his “gamer” attitude every Saturday (soon to be Sunday).

With his mentality, Mayfield is a divisive prospect. Love him or hate him, though, it is impossible to deny that he is explosive on the field.

However, scouts have concerns about Mayfield’s physical attributes as well. Namely, his height and possibly over-inflated stats – he completed 69.8 percent of his passes for 12,292 yards and 119 touchdowns in three seasons with the Sooners – are the issues here.

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Mayfield is participating this week at the Senior Bowl and his official height was recorded at 6-foot and 3/8ths inches. Currently, there are only two quarterbacks of that size that are succeeding in the NFL: Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks.

Additionally, quarterbacks from the Big 12 conference rarely ever pan out in the NFL due to the schemes that the teams in the conference run. The lack of defensive speed in the same conference makes it even more difficult for quarterbacks to translate to the NFL level.

But if one man could break the mold of both the conference and the small stature, it is Mayfield. The man with a massive chip on his shoulder, who is willing to do anything to succeed.

Next: Browns Senior Bowl watch: Marcus Davenport

For as polarizing as he is, many are beginning to warm up to Mayfield, including possibly the Browns. General manager John Dorsey noted that Mayfield is in the top group of quarterbacks competing for the Browns’ No. 1 overall draft selection.

Additionally, Mayfield had this to say to 92.3 The Fan’s Bull and Fox Show about the Browns possibly drafting him first overall:

"“They’re getting a winner. They’re getting somebody that’s gonna turn that franchise around. They’re getting somebody that no matter what happens, no matter what anybody else on the outside thinks of that franchise, I’m gonna put belief and I’m gonna put new life into that. I’ll do everything I can to win. Everything for my team and the coaching staff. They’re gonna get the biggest competitor they’ve ever seen. That’s what I brought to OU and that’s what I’ve always believed in.”"

Obviously a huge competitor with a lot of love for football, Mayfield has begun to win over some fans. Despite the smaller size and off-the-field concerns, there’s a lot to like about Mayfield.

Maybe he is the quarterback that the Browns have needed for the past 20 years. The one that they need to instill a new locker room culture and to turn this team around.

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