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Cleveland Browns: Looking at the quarterback situation

By Dan Justik

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated TCU 38-20. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated TCU 38-20. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, surprising most draft pundits. But his attitude and abilities could be the perfect fit for the Browns organization.

In Mayfield’s 2017 Heisman campaign, he threw for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns with only six interceptions on a 70.5 completion percentage. He also rushed for 311 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Mayfield is a highly accurate quarterback that can throw to every part of the field. He has a very similar play style as Taylor, so the Browns coaching staff will not have to dramatically change the playbook if Mayfield is forced to play.

The biggest difference in Taylor and Mayfield is Mayfield’s willingness to stretch the field and take chances. Although he prefers to keep throws in the short and intermediate range and make high percentage throws, he is not afraid to sling the ball downfield.

Mayfield also has a very good attitude when it comes to the quarterback situation. He understands that the plan is to take his transition to the NFL slowly and not rush him into learning everything at once.

Even though he knows this plan, he is also not going to become less competitive, as he is going to do whatever it takes to become the team’s starting quarterback. But from what it appears, there is almost no chance that Mayfield starts a game until the very end of the season.

Next: What will the Browns offensive line look like in 2018?

If the Browns want to play this situation smart, they sit Mayfield the entire season, which is what they plan to do. Dorsey made a similar situation last season with Mahomes and Alex Smith in Kansas City work, even though he was not with the organization by the time the season started. And it appears it helped Mahomes development exponentially. The Browns hope the same will happen with Mayfield this season.

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