Cleveland Browns: PFF says Baker Mayfield should be No. 1 pick

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson says the numbers and tape say that Baker Mayfield should be the No. 1 pick for the Cleveland Browns

There’s been much debate about what the Cleveland Browns should do with the No. 1 overall pick, even though there shouldn’t be. If they fail to lure a veteran starting quarterback in free agency, the choice is simple — Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback in the class and should be the guy they choose to become their franchise quarterback.

That sentiment is also being echoed by the highly respected Pro Football Focus as Sam Monson claims that Mayfield is far and away the best signal caller available in the 2018 NFL Draft class.

Many will try and claim he’s a “gimmick” player but that’s only because his less-than-ideal height and time spent in pistol and shotgun formations.

Sure, Mayfield needs refinement under center, but that can be taught. What can’t be taught is his natural talent and knack for playing the game at a high level, which was big reason Monson says it isn’t even close between Mayfield and the next passer in the draft.

"From what we have seen on the field, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback in this draft class, and it isn’t particularly close to the second guy.Mayfield owns the best two single-season PFF grades we have seen in four years of college grading and three of the top six seasons."

While the high grades and quarterback ratings Monson discusses in his piece are impressive, even more so is how cool Mayfield is under pressure. While Sam Darnold of USC fell apart with bad protection — and gets a pass for a poor season due to it — Mayfield excelled.

Not only was his quarterback rating still in the 100s while under pressure, but Mayfield also impressed Monson with his “NFL throws” as he also dismissed the notion that the Sooners offense inflated Mayfield’s numbers.

This praise of Mayfield has been echoed by Scot McCloughan, who was recently hired by the Browns to be a draft consultant. He’s a trusted voice for general manager John Dorsey, so just maybe the Cleveland front office feels just as strongly about the Oklahoma gun slingers upside.

Next: Top 5 RB targets for Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft

If so, get ready to see Mayfield in the orange and brown. And don’t worry if that does happen, because it’s the right move.