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Analyzing the Cleveland Browns depth chart at Quarterback

By Randy Gurzi

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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Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #4 of the Cleveland Browns rolls out of the pocket while playing the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The unquestioned leader: Baker Mayfield

Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, the belief was that the Cleveland Browns were going to take USC quarterback Sam Darnold. The redshirt sophomore lit it up for the Trojans and fit the mold of a prototypical quarterback as he stood 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds. Then as the draft got closer, whispers started to swirl that the Browns were going a different direction by taking Baker Mayfield out of Oklahoma.

Unlike Darnold, Mayfield was not the ideal size. He came in just under 6-foot-1 and was 215-pounds. He also had some off-field concerns such as an arrest for public intoxication. Then there were his on-field antics which included him taunting opponents and planting flags midfield — which for some reason really bothered people.

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While there were those who felt his taunting was a lack of maturity, others thought it was just his confidence shining through. Mayfield has never been shy about betting on himself, even saying he wanted to go first overall to Cleveland because he was the right man to turn their franchise around.

"“I would love (to be drafted by the Browns). First things first, they’d get a winner. I think if anybody’s gonna turn that franchise around, it’d be me. I’d be able to put it in the right direction. They’re close. They’re very close. They have the right pieces. I think they just need one guy at quarterback to make that difference.” ‚— Mayfield said via Michelle R. Martinelli of For The Win, USA Today"

The young quarterback has been able to do just that. After they finally got rid of Hue Jackson as the head coach, Mayfield started to shine. They went 5-3 down the stretch and he broke the NFL record for touchdown passes by a rookie. He’s also started to become a huge star off the field, making the rounds on late-night talk shows and YouTube Comedy specials with Kevin Hart.

Heading into 2019, Mayfield is poised for an even bigger season. The Browns hired Freddie Kitchens as the head coach and the two already have great chemistry. In addition to that, he now has another big-time weapon at his disposal in Odell Beckham, Jr. There’s no reason to think this won’t be a big year for Baker.

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