2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Baker Mayfield

Weakness: Inexperience Under Center

The narrative that Baker Mayfield is a spread offense quarterback who can’t operate under center is one that’s been overblown. The truth remains, however, that Mayfield has limited experience running a traditional offense.

Mayfield can silence his critics in this regard by showing out at his Pro Day and private workouts, but he has work to do as far as playing under center is concerned.

Mayfield operated almost exclusively out of shotgun and pistol formations during his Oklahoma career. That would’ve been a devastating concern five years ago, but as the NFL learns to embrace  spread offense quarterbacks, it isn’t quite as damaging to his draft stock in 2018.

In saying that, Mayfield must be able to play from under center on a consistent basis in the NFL, as he’ll spend a vast majority of his possessions doing so.

It’s worth noting that Mayfield has actively attempted to address this issue during his workouts. Hard work should pay off, but there will be a learning curve that Mayfield encounters early in his NFL career—one that could limit his effectiveness.

Mayfield is one of the most experienced players in this draft class, but inexperience under center remains an issue as far as the NFL Draft is concerned.