Baker Mayfield’s Needs: Pro level offensive tackle
Baker Mayfield needs a pro level tackle. With that weapon, he could take the league by storm with already having some of the best interior linemen in the NFL.
Watching Baker Mayfield throw his way through the NFL during his 13 games this year was a true sight to behold. If you take his average yards per game and multiply that by the games Baker missed this year, Baker jumps from 17th in passing yards all the way up to sixth, ahead of even Aaron Rodgers.
Baker passed up the rookie touchdown record in just 13 games started — he would have destroyed that if he was an additional three full games to throw in. Now imagine if Baker had offensive tackles that were competent and could play effectively at a pro level.
Chris Hubbard, ranked 51st, Greg Robinson, ranked 64th, and Desmond Harrison ranked, 69th, were the best to worst tackles for the Browns in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus.
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Knowing how low these players ranked, it’s apparent that with the 17th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns should select, Greg Little, Trey Adams, or maybe even Cody Ford. I’ve seen mock drafts that have all these picks as possibilities.
The Browns need an efficient offensive tackle, at least at left tackle and that would allow them to have an actual battle between Robinson and Hubbard for the right tackle spot. Harrison is there but needs serious work during this offseason in order to be a starter in the NFL.
What about free agents this year Steve?
Bobbie Massie, ranked 29th from Chicago, Ja’Wuan James, ranked 33rd from Miami, or Donovan Smith, ranked 47th from Tampa Bay. These should be the targets for the Browns during the offseason in order to strengthen the line overall and better protect Baker Mayfield.
All these players played over 800 snaps last year and all played better than what the Browns already have on their roster.
Re-signing Robinson would make sense and maintain depth and confidence within in the offense and Baker Mayfield specifically.
Next. Former head coaches to target as defensive coordinator. dark
The plan this offseason needs to be to draft or sign a player who can play left tackle and protect the blind side and you could watch Baker Mayfield throw like any elite passer in the 2019-2020 season.
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