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2018 NFL Draft: Baker Mayfield makes his case for No. 1 pick

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) /
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield is a candidate to be a first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s making his case for the No. 1 pick.

Baker Mayfield has spent his entire football career overachieving. As a walk-on turned starter at Texas Tech and a redshirted transfer turned Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, Mayfield has defied the odds at every turn.

With the 2018 NFL Draft on the horizon, Mayfield is once again attempting to overcome adversity and silence the critics who still doubt him.

Mayfield is regarded as a virtual lock to be a first-round draft pick, but the conversation that’s growing pertains to the No. 1 overall selection. The Cleveland Browns have confirmed their intention to select a quarterback, which inevitably puts Mayfield in play.

During a recent appearance on CBS Sports, Mayfield explained why he’d be an ideal fit at No. 1 overall and what it is that makes him special.

For those who can’t view the video, Will Brinson of CBS Sports transcribed the interview with a focus on one of the most critical quotes.

"“I bring to the table a winner’s mentality. Something I had to work for my whole life. I think, for me, I had to learn at an early age — I wasn’t always the biggest guy or the strongest, so mentally I had to prepare myself to be tough,” Mayfield said. “So I’ll bring a toughness and an edge to me that I think, you know, you have to have if you want to win and be one of the best.“And also, I take care of the ball. And in the game of the football that’s one of the most important things.”"

There’s certainly merit to what Mayfield is saying, as well as good reason for the Browns to at least consider selecting the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Mayfield is viewed as undersized for the quarterback position, but he ranks amongst the best pure passers in this draft class. He has the arm strength to get the ball to wherever it needs to be, as well as the accuracy to fit throws into tight windows.

Mayfield also has excellent pocket mobility and the statistics under pressure that imply that he can indeed thrive when the pocket collapses.

With 119 passing touchdowns to just 21 interceptions during his three seasons at Oklahoma, it also becomes abundantly clear that he can make big throws without committing turnovers.

According to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, Mayfield posted the best passer rating under pressure in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He attempted at least 100 throws in said scenario in each of those three seasons, thus providing an adequate sample size.

With a proven measure of mental and physical toughness, as well as the arm talent to make the necessary throws, Mayfield has legitimate star potential.

Must Read: Key strengths and weaknesses for Baker Mayfield

The question is: Will Baker Mayfield receive the opportunity to lead the Cleveland Browns into the future as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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