Cleveland Browns: So Baker isn’t Manziel 2.0? Several teams had him high No. 1 on draft boards

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says the Cleveland Browns were one of more than a half-dozen teams with Baker Mayfield atop their quarterback boards in the draft

It’s not as fun as saying the Cleveland Browns messed up again, but reports are surfacing that the leader on many NFL draft boards heading into the 2018 NFL Draft was Baker Mayfield, and not Sam Darnold.

It isn’t a popular opinion because we were all force-fed a heavy dose of Darnold-love from many of the major outlets. They shrugged off multiple interceptions, bad mechanics and a high fumble rate from Darnold. All that was attributed to those around him, which is great because we all want a quarterback who crumbles when his team can’t build him up, right? That’s much better than one who makes people around him better.

Obviously that was sarcasm.

All along however, that’s how Darnold was treated by many, while Mayfield was cast aside. He was better in every facet of the game, but no one wanted to call him the best because he was 6-foot tall.

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The lamest argument in the world was presented that he wouldn’t see over offensive linemen, as if the guys in the NFL are six-inches taller than the ones blocking for him at Oklahoma (editor’s note — they aren’t taller. If he can see down field behind NCAA lines he can in the NFL).

Even worse was the argument that he was Johnny Manziel 2.0. That one was just a tired debate to throw out for anyone who hadn’t actually watched both men play — because they’re not close to similar.

What’s best though, is after everyone was wrong and Mayfield was the choice, the new feeling is “Browns gonna Brown.” They obviously got it wrong.

Right? Nope, they did good.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com at least a half dozen other teams have confirmed Mayfield, not Darnold, was their top quarterback ahead of the draft.

"“But they weren’t the only ones. Of the 12 teams I’ve heard back from so far, four had Baker as their QB1, and two more gave me a strong indication that he was. Another league source named two other teams that he believes had him No. 1.” — Cabot, Cleveland.com"

Mary Kay reportedly asked only 12 teams, and of those it appears that eight of them were on board for Mayfield — although only four truly confirmed it.

Next: Browns way too early 2019 draft options

That’s not as fun of a narrative though. So let’s stick with the Manziel 2.0 and “Browns gonna Brown” narrative. Mayfield has always excelled when people don’t expect it.