Baker Mayfield has emerged as one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Overlooked through it all is that he represents a new prototype.
One could argue that no 2018 NFL Draft prospect has divided fans and analysts more than Baker Mayfield. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is coming off of a legendary college career, but even if one were to ignore his off-field issues, his on-field style of play is polarizing.
Some question if he can make the big throws in the NFL, while others question if his athleticism will translate to the grandest of stages.
For all that’s been said about what the Oklahoma Sooners superstar can’t do, not enough has been said about the areas in which he excels. He’s one of the most explosive players of his time, with all-time statistics and team success to round out his resume.
There’s no guaranteeing that his success will be emulated in the NFL, but Mayfield has a resume that speaks for itself—but resumes are irrelevant come the Draft.
It’s entirely plausible that Mayfield will struggle in the NFL, thus pleasing those who are hoping to see him falter. That would dismiss the belief that he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback, but it wouldn’t disprove the following statement.
Whether or not Mayfield finds success in the NFL, his emergence as a potential first-round draft pick is a sign that a new prototype is arriving in the NFL.
Change Of The Guard
There was once a time when quarterbacks who stood shorter than 6’3″ were viewed as undersized for the position. That may still be true in some circles, but the conversations about size and stature are becoming less prominent.
Thanks in large part to Super Bowl champions Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, teams are learning to value once undersized quarterbacks.
Mayfield is a high-profile example of this, albeit with others receiving the same benefit of the doubt in less prominent situations. He stands at 6’1″ and 220 pounds, which was once viewed as undersized to a rather troubling degree.
Today, Mayfield will be given a fair shake in the NFL and evaluated based on his skill set before his impact is predicted as inadequate—an encouraging sign of progress.
Mayfield isn’t responsible for this change, but he’s contributing to the new culture in football. Coaches and general managers will still favor the traditional prototype of size, skill, and athleticism, but there’s a new prototype in football.
Instead of viewing the players with elite size as the only prototypes in football, coaches and general managers have found now a new prototype: Undersized quarterbacks.
The Prototype
If an undersized quarterback is to excel in the NFL, then they must be able to find success both inside and outside the pocket. Said players are working behind an offensive line of giants, and hoping to escape the pressure applied by the titans on defense.
Thankfully, a prototype exists for undersized quarterbacks in the NFL—and it’s more Russell Wilson than Drew Brees.
If undersized quarterbacks are going to be successful in the NFL, the primary skill must be accuracy as a passer. Whether or not they can make big throws down the field, they must be able to get the ball from Point A to Point B with accuracy and efficiency.
Mayfield certainly checks that box, as evidenced by his crisp throws and the fact he completed at least 70 percent of his passes in both 2016 and 2017.
The second trait, however, is a degree athleticism and mobility that allows players to escape the pocket. A run-first mentality is rarely successful in the NFL for undersized quarterbacks, but they must be able to evade the pass rush and make throws outside of the pocket.
Mayfield proved to be able to do that in college, adding 21 career rushing touchdowns to his tally—a sign that he could follow in the footsteps of some of the current success stories.
The Current Examples
Much as point guards have come to dominate the pace of the NBA, undersized quarterbacks are finally being given a fair shake in the NFL. Three examples were found in the 2018 NFL Playoffs alone: Drew Brees at 6’0″, Case Keenum at 6’1″, and Tyrod Taylor at 6’1″.
That list doesn’t include the 5’11” Russell Wilson, and the 6’2″ Andy Dalton and Dak Prescott—all of whom have similar traits and, to some degree, playing styles.
With the exception of Brees, the other five players listed are known for their ability to tuck the ball and run for extra yardage. Wilson is easily the most prolific of the group, as a Super Bowl champion and a well-rounded MVP candidate.
Keenum experienced a career-year in 2017, however, while Taylor is a proven and dynamic runner, and both Dalton and Prescott have underrated abilities to catch opposing defenses off-guard.
For players who stand 6’2″ or shorter, that’s the prototype we’re discussing. Versatility is of paramount importance for players who aren’t of the traditional size and stature, as they must be able to evade the pass rush and make plays outside of the pocket.
In the case of Baker Mayfield, he fits the undersized prototype and could succeed in a similar capacity to a Dalton or a Keenum.
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Coaches and general managers will still favor quarterbacks with elite size, but Baker Mayfield is an example of a new prototype for NFL Draft prospects.