With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Draft: Baker Mayfield dismisses Johnny Manziel comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

2018 NFL Draft prospect Baker Mayfield has been compared to embattled quarterback Johnny Manziel. Both Manziel and Mayfield have rejected the comparison.

Few players have faced more scrutiny entering the 2018 NFL Draft than former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield. Between concerns about his size and questions pertaining to his maturity, Mayfield has faced a steady stream of criticism.

Mayfield has remained focused on football through it all, but he recently responded to one of the most common statements made about him: “He’s just Johnny Manziel 2.0.”

Mayfield, like Manziel, is a somewhat undersized quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy. Both can make plays with their legs and air out big throws, but they’re also players whose discipline and commitment to their craft have been questioned.

According to an article published by The Associated Press, Mayfield dismissed the Manziel comparisons based on their different approaches to the sport.

"“We’re two completely different people,” Mayfield said. “I’ve always been a team-oriented guy. Not saying that Johnny wasn’t. But I’ve quickly earned the respect of my teammates because of how I worked.“I wasn’t given the natural talent that Johnny had. Because he’s a talent. And there’s a reason he got taken in the first round, amazing player. We’re just not the same mentally. Just wired differently.”"

Regardless of how you feel about Mayfield, the one thing that can’t be questioned is how committed he is to playing football.

For what it’s worth, Manziel has also gone on record to contest the notion that he and Mayfield are comparable players or people. In Manziel’s own words, Mayfield has the benefit of hindsight and perspective based on what transpired before him.

If Mayfield truly does learn from his and Manziel’s mistakes, he should continue to grow as a person and leader—both in and out of the NFL.

As for what transpires on the field, the general consensus is that the comparisons between Manziel and Mayfield are loose.

While Manziel had the ability to stand in and make throws, Mayfield is more of a pocket passer than the former Texas A&M Aggies star was. Mayfield utilizes his athleticism to be elusive in the pocket, while Manziel was more inclined to run.

For perspective: Manziel ran the ball 345 times in 26 games at Texas A&M, while Mayfield attempted 316 rushes over his final 40 appearances.

Must Read: Top 5 players selected with compensatory picks

The question is: Will Baker Mayfield have a better professional career than Johnny Manziel? That process will begin at the 2018 NFL Draft.

Home/NFL Draft News