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Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield graded AFC North’s best quarterback

By Martin McConnell

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after making a catch on a two-point conversion attempt during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after making a catch on a two-point conversion attempt during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The AFC North saw a bit of a power shift in 2018, with the Browns crawling out of the division’s basement. A huge component of that shift was rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who PFF graded as the division’s best quarterback.

The Cleveland Browns have been looking for a quarterback for nearly 20 years, and they finally found one in the form of Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield’s 2018 season provided more hope for Browns fans than they’ve had in decades, and the future looks bright for the Dawg Pound.

Pro Football Focus seems to think so, too, as they graded Mayfield the AFC North’s best quarterback in 2018.

Mayfield had one of the best rookie seasons as a quarterback in NFL history in 2018, even though he missed out on Offensive Rookie of the Year. Mayfield’s 27 touchdowns and 3,725 yards in just 13 games showed just how important he was to Cleveland’s success this year. Add in a new head coach in rising offensive mind Freddie Kitchens and a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken, and this could be a recipe for success for Mayfield.

In 2019 and beyond, the Browns should absolutely be competing for the division, and maybe even a Super Bowl title, some years down the line. Baker Mayfield and Cleveland’s offensive attack are imperative to their success, and they seem to have the right pieces in place to ensure their success in the passing game.

The Browns are in the driver’s seat for the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely on the decline, with both Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell set to leave. The Cincinnati Bengals are a big question mark, with a new head coach in Zac Taylor. The Browns’ stiffest competition, the Baltimore Ravens, are going all in on Lamar Jackson after shipping quarterback Joe Flacco off to the Denver Broncos.

Next. Free agents no one is talking about. dark

The Browns should have a few years with a serious playoff window, and Baker Mayfield is a huge part of that opportunity. Mayfield is the best quarterback in the division, and one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Pro Football Focus got this one right, and Mayfield should be a familiar face at the top of this list for years to come.

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