What do you have on Baker
I would say in my history it can't exactly come as a shock if I have an affinity for Baker Mayfield. My two guys last year were Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. I gave Mahomes the slight edge on long term potential.
I need a guy who is faster than the game because the game is faster than the guy when they bump to the next level. Baker Mayfield is faster than the game.
You can't just come to the NFL anymore and conquer it from a mental and technical standpoint. It's too much. You need to be able to handle the rush and make plays on your own. You can't keep waiting until someone builds an offense for you and gets it all perfect so you can take off running. It's nice when it happens that way but it's probably not going to happen that way.
When I watch Baker Mayfield play, I think he's got a handle on where everyone is, where they're supposed to be, and he knows where to look when he gets into trouble. He also knows how to manipulate the defense and defenders to get what he wants. He thinks in real time.
The thing he adds to that is really consistent throwing and execution. That's the extra. I think when you're able to show that you can consistently execute in a way your skill players can count on, and then you also have that play making ability, it's enough to go toe to toe with NFL defenses. To be able to complete 76 percent of your passes and have the execution from a timing, ball placement standpoint achieve uniformity, especially in quick flick, bang-bang situations, and yet so clearly be a gun slinging play-maker type...that's attractive. His feet are wonderful. Not sure there's anyone in the class with feet that quick and that active. But then, there's not a QB in the class actually playing better than Baker right now.
He's going to have to be taught things. I understand that. But I also understand that he's not going to have to be taught things that others will never have. I think he's got a chance to be somewhere between a Drew Brees and a Russell Wilson.
I'm not going to ding a guy on height anymore based on poor or misunderstood statistical methodology. I'm only going to do it if I see the size translate into poor vision, poor habits, or poor durability. And I don't see an arm strength case to be made. In fact I like the way he darts the football around at distance.