Cleveland Browns: 7-Round Mock Draft brings a new quarterback
By Randy Gurzi
Round 1 (No. 1 Overall): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
This is a pick that’s going to be ridiculed because so many people just aren’t sold on Baker Mayfield as a winning quarterback at the next level. Some compare him to another former Cleveland Browns first round pick, Johnny Manziel, and say he will flame out as quickly.
Those comparisons are unfair. Manziel was troubled by substance problems and was driven by money and having fun. Mayfield may have a previous public intoxication arrest, but he made a dumb mistake as a college kid. So did Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys who had a DUI, but they still drafted him out of Mississippi State and he turned out ok.
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Really with Mayfield, it’s always been him going too far with trying to embarrass opponents rather than him not caring about football that’s caused the biggest stir from him. The fact is, Mayfield is driven by competition and wants to win. He also guaranteed Browns fans that they would be getting a winner should the team select him — as they should.
"“They’re getting a winner. They’re getting somebody that’s gonna turn their 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 believed in” — Mayfield on the Browns according to Josh Edwards of 247 Sports"
He cares about the game more than Josh Rosen, he’s more experienced than Sam Darnold and quite frankly more refined than Josh Allen. He’s the ready-made, day-one starter that the Browns need in order to finally turn the page on their search for a starter. He has the arm, the smarts and on top of that, great athleticism as well.
While others have the question of whether or not they can play, Mayfield has the question of if he will be nice to the opponent. Give me the second option any day.