Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield needs time with starters
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns are doing a disservice to No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield by not letting him get some work in with a better offensive line this preseason
First off, this isn’t a cry for Baker Mayfield to be the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback. We all know how the team feels about that and right or wrong, it is what it is.
That doesn’t mean the No. 1 overall pick shouldn’t be getting time with a better supporting cast during the preseason.
So far in the preseason, the No. 1 overall pick has impressed in his play. He’s been smart with the ball and has proven to have more than enough arm strength.
More from Browns News
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
He’s also shown plenty of mobility as he’s been constantly under duress and needing to avoid defenders in order to make anything happen.
Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger echoes this sentiment as he breaks down film from the last game that Mayfield played in against the Bills. Baldinger starts out showing a missed block that levels the young quarterback but also praises him for his work in a crowded pocket.
While it has been advantageous to a degree to see Mayfield in these tough situations, it’s really a disservice to him to not even allow him to work a series with the first team offense.
Mayfield was drafted No. 1 overall for a reason. He’s supposed to be the future of the franchise and the Browns are under the misguided impression that him playing with backups will get him ready for that. It won’t.
Defensive line versatility will help lack of DT depth. dark. Next
He needs to be out there with not only the better players but playing against the elite defenders. Only then will he start to make the progress this team needs him to make to eventually take over as the starting quarterback.