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5 biggest Cleveland Browns ‘what if’ moments since 2013

By Greg Newland

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; NFL commissioner commissioner Roger Goodell walks off stage as Baker Mayfield is selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns “what if” moment No. 2: John Dorsey goes in another direction

After the disastrous season with Kizer as the quarterback in 2017, there was no doubt that Dorsey was going to go quarterback with the No. 1 pick. The real question, who would it be? Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, or Baker Mayfield.

I was all aboard the Darnold train, and my least favorite of the four was Mayfield. I’ll admit, the beating he put on the Buckeyes in Columbus with the planting of the flag was a major part of that.

Rosen never seemed motivated, Allen hadn’t played enough tough competition, Darnold turned the ball over, and Mayfield was too small. Looking back, my analysis was correct the entire time.

How does being too small really factor into being a bad quarterback anyway?

What if the Dorsey and the Cleveland Browns would have gone with Darnold? While I think he was given a raw deal in New York, there is no doubt the Browns came away with the better talent.

There is a chance the Browns would have not had the great year in 2018, been able to attract a coach like Kevin Stefanski, and ever made the playoffs and won a game as they did in 2020.

Browns fans know, having a quarterback is the most important piece of your NFL team, and having a bad one can set you back for years. Dorsey was not a great general manager, but not because he couldn’t see talent. He was power-hungry and took too many risks. However, he got Mayfield right, and now the Browns are legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2021.

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