Fansided
Fansided

The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in action during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns in action during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns: Drafting Baker Mayfield

Even before the Browns drafted Baker Mayfield, they hired John Dorsey and I think that move reset the course of the franchise.

Dorsey is a very good talent evaluator as evidenced by just his last two quarterback picks (likely league MVP Patrick Mahomes and Mayfield). Dorsey’s last two quarterback picks have reset the course for both of the franchises he worked for, but the decision to pick Mayfield was anything but an easy one.

More from NFL Hot Takes

There was no consensus number one grade on Mayfield by NFL Draft analysts. In fact, I personally had Darnold rated 1a. to Mayfield’s 1b. I thought both players were great, but it takes personal evaluation and up-close relationship development to make a call like this in a draft class that included five first-round quarterbacks.

Mayfield has proven to be the best one by far in the early portion of their respective careers, and in his first action in the 2018 regular season, he led the Browns to a comeback win in front of a national audience (against Darnold, no less).

There was nothing fortuitous about this selection. Dorsey made a call directly from his gut and it’s paying off.

Home/NFL Hot Takes