The Lake Travis High school graduate and Heisman trophy winner Baker Mayfield has become a make-or-break for most draft analysts.
Some have Mayfield right with the other top quarterbacks in the draft class, commending his ability to lead a team, his versatility at the quarterback spot and love his story of being a walk-on at Oklahoma.
Others would argue that Mayfield isn’t “NFL ready,” has character problems that undermine his abilities and think he could be a bust.
Nonetheless, he is still in high demand for the draft, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go in the first round. The Big 12 Player of the Year completed 70.5 percent of his passes (285-of-404), threw 43 touchdowns and had just six interceptions.
Below are his possible landing destinations in the draft:
Cleveland Browns
1st round, 4th pick
All eyes are set on Cleveland drafting either Josh Allen or Sam Darnold at the No. 1 pick, but what if they surprise everyone by getting running back Saquon Barkley with the first overall pick? It’s not all far-fetched being that Barkley might be one of the best overall players in the draft.
If the Browns choose Barkley at No. 1, it would allow the Giants and Jets to take stabs at the top two quarterbacks, which would then give the Browns an opportunity to draft Mayfield in the top-5 of the draft.
Another scenario would be the Browns trading down for the pick and drafting Mayfield later in the first round.
Miami Dolphins
1st round, 11th pick
To stay or not stay with Ryan Tannehill as the franchise quarterback is the real question Miami has to answer come draft day. Tannehill has battled through inconsistencies and injuries in the past years, finding it challenging to finish off a season strong with Miami.
Through the off-season, Miami has shown great interest with Mayfield, who wants the Dolphins to draft him at No. 11. Here, the Texas-bred quarterback has a chance to be a Miami superstar.
However, Miami does need to think practically in this draft. Is Mayfield worth the early draft pick instead of drafting a much-needed defensive specialist, such as a linebacker or defensive lineman?
Arizona Cardinals
1st round, 15th pick
Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim is notorious for not drafting quarterbacks and riding out his veteran gunslingers. But after Carson Palmer announced his retirement, the Cardinals might need to look for a second option other than Sam Bradford.
Even though Arizona seems set on Bradford, why not bring two Oklahoma Sooners on board by drafting Mayfield? He would bring in a new breed of quarterback swagger to Arizona and be an interesting man to watch in the stacked NFC West.
Buffalo Bills
Round 1, 22nd pick
It’s no secret that the Bills are currently at the most demand for a quarterback, and no, Nathan Peterman is not the answer.
The Bills could trade up for a top-5 pick in the draft and end up trying to get Darnold, Allen or Josh Rosen. But if the Bills decide to wait, they could find Mayfield at their No. 12 or 22 pick in the first round.
Problem here is whether or not the Bills want a traditional-style quarterback or a multi-talented, dual-threat quarterback like Mayfield.
New Orleans Saints
Round 1, 27th pick
Austin’s own Drew Brees sees the light at the end of the tunnel in his illustrious career, so Sean Peyton and the New Orleans Saints must be thinking long-term when it comes to an offensive player.
If he is still available on the board at No. 27, expect the Saints to differ their choice in drafting a reciever or tight end early to get a quarterback like Mayfield.
New England Patriots
Round 1, 31st pick
Similar to Brees, Tom Brady‘s days have to come to an end as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. With that being said, a lot of NFL draft analysts have speculated the Patriots taking a quarterback in the first.
New England has shown interest in Mayfield, so if they go with him, Mayfield will be able to learn from Brady and then have a good chance at being his successor when it’s all said and done.
New York Giants
Round 2, 34th pick
This season, Eli Manning will have a close eye on him due to his past inconsistencies, so it seems inevitable that the Giants will draft a quarterback.
The big question, though, is when will they draft one?
If they choose to take Barkley in the first at running back, they can load up by getting Mayfield at the top of the second round.
Even as a backup, Mayfield will be a positive learner and a next-man-up quarterback in this system.
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