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Cleveland Browns: 10 biggest ‘what ifs?’ in the NFL Draft since 1999

By Eddie McDonald

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-30. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-30. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield
Cleveland Browns, Baker Mayfield. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

9. What if the Cleveland Browns didn’t draft Baker Mayfield 1st overall?

The Browns seem to think they have finally found the franchise quarterback they’ve been yearning for ever since Bernie Kosar was released in 1993.

Rumors were swirling on who the Browns would take with the first overall pick a season removed from going 0-16. At the end of the day, it was Baker Mayfield selected out of Oklahoma, something he wanted as he wanted to be the guy to turn the franchise around.

He led the Browns to a playoff appearance for the first time in 18 years and a playoff win for the first time in 26 years. But what if it was one of the other quarterbacks taken?

In that same draft, Sam Darnold (3rd Jets), Josh Allen (7th Bills), Josh Rosen (10th Cardinals), and Lamar Jackson (32nd Ravens) were all selected after Mayfield. All four have had varying success, with Jackson being an MVP in 2019. Allen had his best season as a pro in 2020, Darnold was traded earlier this offseason to the Panthers and Rosen is currently with the 49ers.

Mayfield was the one who had the most pressure as the Browns were coming off a winless season and with everything dealt to him, he’s handled it well. Would the other quarterbacks have been better had the Browns drafted them? Would they be able to overcome having four different head coaches and offensive coordinators in their first three years? We will never truly know.

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