2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft. What are the strengths and weaknesses the drive his draft stock?

The 2018 NFL Draft is highlighted by a number of tremendous talents and unique personalities. There may not be a player who better fits that description than Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has emerged as perhaps the most divisive figure in this draft class.

With reasons for both intrigue and concern both on and off the field, Mayfield is the ultimate enigma at the 2018 NFL Draft.

In a quarterback-starved NFL, Mayfield fits the new prototype for undersized quarterbacks. He stands around 6’1″, but can make all of the necessary throws and has the elusiveness in the pocket that will be vital to his success.

Mayfield has been compared to Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson, but critics have also drawn parallels between he and Johnny Manziel.

Regardless of which side of the debate you land on, what’s clear is that Mayfield has divided the NFL. He has the tools to be the best quarterback in this draft class, but he also has issues that could hold him back at the next level.

The question is: What are the key strengths and weaknesses that make Oklahoma Sooners star Baker Mayfield such a polarizing 2018 NFL Draft prospect?

Strength: Making NFL Throws

One can question if Baker Mayfield can stop himself from taunting the opposition after a great play. If the question is if he can make all of the NFL throws, however, Mayfield is as proven and trustworthy as anyone in this draft class.

With tremendous accuracy on his throws and the zip behind them to avoid the outstretched arms of ball-hawking defenders, Mayfield has the tools to be a legitimate star under center.

The best way to describe Mayfield’s arm and accuracy is that he’s a versatile quarterback. He can find his running backs in the flat, work with his tight ends at 10-to-15 yards, and make throws to the sidelines that only his wide receivers can get to

The latter trait may be the most significant, as Mayfield puts the ball on the money and has the necessary velocity to avoid potential turnovers.

Most importantly: Mayfield has the elusive ability to lead his receivers to their spots. He doesn’t just wait for a play to develop and rifle in an accurate throw, but instead puts the ball where only his receiver can get it. He essentially passes them open.

Whether or not the rest of his game translates to the NFL, there’s no way around the fact that Mayfield can put the ball wherever it needs to be.

Weakness: Hand Size

If you asked 32 scouts what they think about hand size in the NFL, you’d likely get three vastly different groups of opinions. Some believe it to be vital, others find it to be irrelevant, and an impartial group simply views it as a piece of a bigger puzzle.

Mayfield’s size isn’t nearly as much of a concern as some are making it out to be, but it must be acknowledged that his hands are small for a quarterback.

Thankfully for Mayfield, quarterbacks such as Drew Brees, Case Keenum, Tyrod Taylor, and Russell Wilson have proven that the 6’1″ range isn’t a bad place to be. What may be concerning, however, is the fact that his hand size is a weakness.

For perspective: While Mayfield’s hands were measured at 9.25″, Wilson’s hands were checked at 10.25″ and Taylor’s were listed at exactly 10″.

It’s worth noting that Keenum had smaller hands than Mayfield, yet managed to piece together a Pro Bowl level season in 2017. Mayfield is a better athlete than Keenum on film, with the elusiveness in the pocket and scrambling speed to pick up the first down.

One interesting comparison for Mayfield in terms of hand size and height: Jimmy Garoppolo, who measured at 6’2″ with 9.25″ hands.

Strength: Elusive Athleticism

Baker Mayfield has 4.8 speed, but that shouldn’t at all determine your thoughts on his athletic ability. He’s one of the better athletes at his position, with the agility and game speed to elude pressure when the pocket collapses.

Although significantly smaller than said player, Mayfield has the ability to make opponents pay with his legs in a similar capacity to Alex Smith.

When Mayfield is in the pocket, he has quick feet and excellent body control. He may not be Lamar Jackson when he tucks it and runs, but he can evade a pass rush and extend plays with a combination of athleticism and football IQ.

When the time comes for Mayfield to make a decision about if he should take the sack, throw the ball away, or scramble, his decision-making ranks amongst the best in this class.

There’s no guaranteeing that such a strength will translate to the NFL, as he could conceivably be flustered against pro-level athletes. His ability to extend plays with his legs and pick up yardage when running north, however, is a key strength.

For an undersized quarterback to thrive, they must have a big arm and NFL-caliber agility. Thankfully, Mayfield checks both boxes.

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.

Strength: Poise Under Pressure

You may not like the way Baker Mayfield handles himself in the heat of the moment, but his teammates rallied around him in college. He has a powerful presence on the field and a respected voice in the locker room.

One of the primary reasons that Mayfield has built such profound confidence is his vast experience in big games and his underrated poise under pressure.

Per Pro Football Focus, Mayfield had led the NCAA in passer rating under pressure in 2015, 2016, and 2017. That number was produced in hefty sample sizes of 164 dropbacks under pressure in 2015, 113 in 2016, and 129 in 2017—evidence enough that he can handle a pass rush.

Not only is Mayfield capable of extending plays with his legs, but he takes care of the ball and makes accurate throws when the pocket is collapsing.

Furthermore, Mayfield was 39-9 during his 48 collegiate starts, including a record of 34-6 at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners to victory in each of the past two Red River Shootouts, won the 2016 Sugar Bowl, and led Oklahoma to multiple College Football Playoff appearances.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Mayfield will be a big-game player in the NFL, but the fact the he enters his professional career with said experience should ease his mental transition.

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The question is: Which team will ultimately decide that Baker Mayfield is worth the risk in the 2018 NFL Draft?