It’s been widely speculated that Baker Mayfield and the New York Jets were the perfect Cinderella pairing. But it looks like the clock just struck midnight.
‘Broadway’ Baker Mayfield just has a nice ring to it. It also seems like the New York Jets have agreed with that sentiment over the last several weeks.
The team has openly and privately gushed about his swagger, his accuracy and his ability to galvanize a team. Those are obviously all wonderful traits the Jets haven’t possessed at quarterback since the last time they picked this high and selected a quarterback. That, of course, was the other “Broadway,” Joe Namath.
Sadly, the open love fest may be short-lived because another team is now suddenly in the mix and they control the 2018 NFL Draft with the No. 1 pick.
Browns continue to keep the decision on their No. 1 pick a secret, but there is a mounting belief from HCs and GMs around the league that Cleveland will take Baker Mayfield.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2018
From everything that I’ve heard, this is completely and utterly shocking. That’s not because I think Mayfield isn’t worthy of the No. 1 pick—quite the opposite. Mayfield is the most accurate quarterback in this draft and I believe he’ll be a superstar at the next level, despite his stature.
The reason why this would be one of the biggest shockers in NFL Draft history is based on new Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey’s draft history. He likes guys who look good in a pair of shorts (Patrick Mahomes, Brett Favre) and checks off the boxes for the prototypical NFL quarterback. Mayfield doesn’t do that.
But if Dorsey goes against his NFL Draft history, that means Jets fans will have to retire their “Broadway” Baker Mayfield shirts before they could even get a chance to break them in.
Either way, with the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Jets are guaranteed at worst to get the third best quarterback. Let me use a heavily used phrase in the city of brotherly love, “Trust the process.”
We have to believe Mike Maccagnan and the Jets knew that they could get scooped by only trading up to the three hole, instead of going to No. 2 or heck even No. 1. This team has a few guys in mind and they’re ready to select the franchise quarterback of the future, although it may not be Baker Mayfield.
