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2018 NFL Draft Rumors: Cleveland Browns favoring Baker Mayfield

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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The Cleveland Browns are expected to select a quarterback at No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Per recent reports, Baker Mayfield is their preferred target.

With mere hours remaining until the commencement of the 2018 NFL Draft, all eyes are on the Cleveland Browns. In addition to possessing the No. 1 overall selection, the Browns will pick No. 4 in a series of choices that could instantly save the franchise from obscurity.

After months of rumors about whom the Browns are targeting at No. 1 overall, one player has surfaced as the favorite on draft day.

Multiple reports surfaced that stated with absolute confidence that Cleveland would select Sam Darnold at No. 1 overall. The narrative later changed to Josh Allen being the favorite, and has now shifted to another story entirely.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, rival executives believe that the Browns will select Oklahoma Sooners star Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall.

Regardless of what transpires, it’s safe to say that the Browns have made the 2018 NFL Draft one of the most unpredictable events in recent history.

Mayfield arguably has the best résumé of any incoming quarterback. He won the Heisman Trophy following a spectacular 2017 campaign and ranks in the top 10 all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns at the FBS level.

Furthermore, Mayfield is the prospect with the clear advantage over the rest of the field in one divisive statistic: Completion percentage.

Mayfield completed 68.5 percent of his passes during his four seasons of play, including marks above 70 percent in both 2016 and 2017.

With a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5.93—83 to 14—Mayfield checks the statistical boxes. Beyond the numbers—and far more importantly—he has an NFL-caliber arm, may be the most accurate passer on the board, and is widely regarded as a ferocious competitor.

Mayfield is undersized for the position, but with pocket mobility and the raw skill level to make all of the throws, he’s garnered considerable hype.

Must Read: Key strengths and weaknesses for Baker Mayfield

The question is: Will the Cleveland Browns actually make Baker Mayfield the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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