Baker Mayfield goes #1 to Cleveland. Browns then select CB Denzel Ward with the 4th pick.
There's no more speculation, QB Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) went number 1 to the Browns #1 pick. Sam Darnold who many thought would be off the board at 1, goes to the Jets at number 3. Josh Allen goes to Buffalo after they traded up to 7 thanks to Tampa.
This is not surprising considering his solid college stats, arm strength, mobility and the intangible "It" factor that many believe he posses. Some see him as a combination of a Brett Favre and Drew Brees. Prior to this big buzz, it had been all talk of a battle between QB Sam Darnold (USC) and QB Josh Allen (Wyoming).
Baker Mayfield had a great 2017 season; throwing 43 TDs vs. 6 INTs for a whopping 4877 yards. In his 4-year college career, including his first 8 games at Texas Tech, he posted big numbers; 131 TDs vs. just 30 INTs while throwing for 14,607 yards.
However, the Browns and their Owner Jimmy Haslam didn't attend his pro day, nor meet with his parents as he did with Darnold and Allen. They did though have him in Cleveland for a private workout. That apparently was enough to convince the Browns braintrust.
Baker has the talent, stats, drive, winning mentality which is exactly what the Browns need considering they are an embarrassing 1-31 the past two seasons. He doesn't have the size at a shade under 6' 1", but he does have arm strength and is careful with the football, just like Tyrod Taylor does who they traded for in the offseason.
Penn State RB Saquon Barkley goes #2 to the Giants. He is considered by many to be the best player in the draft.
With the 4th pick, Browns select Denzel Ward CB (Ohio State) which was somewhat of a surprise. Many including, myself expected Cleveland to draft NC State's DE Bradley Chubb (6' 4", 269) who many say is as good a prospect as Myles Garrett was. For sure, the Browns had a need for a CB and that need was filled.
The Browns acquired their bridge QB Tyrod Taylor who's careful with the football (threw just 4 INTs and he comes with a winning record as a starter (22-20). They also tradedfor Miami's WR Jarvis Landry who was the NFL's leading receiver with 112 catches for two draft picks a 4th round pick in 2018 and a 7th round pick in 2019. Then signed Landry for 5-years at $75 million. And they also traded for the Packers CB Damarious Randall a 2015 1st round pick for QB DeShone Kizer.
On the last day of free agency they signed 49ers running back Carlos Hyde to a 3-year deal worth $15 million plus. With that in mind do they still draft the highly touted Penn State RB Saquon Barkley?
By getting Tyrod Taylor in a trade, they speed-up the rebuilding process to quickly alleviate the pain of their long-suffering fans. Now with an experienced QB they will likely more than triple the Browns win total since 2016. As a result, Cleveland will have the luxury of being be able to ease into the starting line-up the QB they draft. However, with Mayfield going #1 and with his electric personality, I don't see him sitting too long unless Taylor wins often enough.
Baker Mayfield talent is glowing and so are his numbers, with the exception of height, he has plenty of NFL Pro-Bowl potential.
The 2017 Heisman Trophy recipient Baker Mayfield has been a winner at every level. He is a sparkplug type player. Just maybe he will be become the Browns long-lost franchise QB they've been seeking since 1999? The last Cleveland QB to wear number 6 was Brian Hoyer who did have a winning record (10-6) with the Browns.