Cleveland Browns: 5 early training camp standouts

1. Tyrod Taylor, Quarterback

Coming into this season, Tyrod Taylor was supposed to be a bridge-quarterback. He’s not the guy who will lead the Cleveland Browns to a Super Bowl. He’s not the future of the franchise. He’s simply a placeholder for No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield.

Well, not true if you ask him. While Taylor is no fool and he inderstands the plan is to get Mayfield on the field next season, he’s not coming in here with the mindset that he’s a one-year rental. Taylor wants to make his mark on the franchise and has no problem talking big.

Part of that talk included him mentioning playoffs and Super Bowls in press conferences.

"“The goal every year is to win a Super Bowl. You ask any player and their goal is to win a Super Bowl. Of course, to get to that, you have to be in the playoffs. My mindset has always been one game at a time, that’s starting even with preseason, and gradually getting better, week in and week out, and doing whatever it takes to go 1-0 that week. You stack enough of those 1-0s up and you’ll be in the playoffs and you’ll be in the Super Bowl conversation. But we’re just taking it one game at a time. We have a lot of work to do. Today’s the first day we get a chance to do that.” — Taylor said via Jen Steer of Fox 8"

You can’t say the bravado he has comes from nowhere. Taylor spent last season with the Buffalo Bills and the whole world knew the coach didn’t want him there. Despite that, he led them to the postseason for the first time since 1999. The Bills then shipped him off and their quarterback room looks abysmal.

Taylor now takes on the challenge of leading the new team with the longest playoff drought into the season and he looks ready. He has had full command of the offense, the respect of his teammates and is delivering crisp passes.

As fun as watching Mayfield hit the field in Preseason Week 1, seeing Taylor out there with the starters is even more intriguing.