Top overall draft pick Mayfield will test Raiders defense

Here comes ALAMEDA >> trouble.

Baker Mayfield makes his first NFL start Sunday at the Coliseum against the Raiders, having energized a moribund franchise by coming off the bench to lead the Cleveland Browns to their first victory in 635 days.

A surprise No. 1 overall draft pick, Mayfield’s size (6foot-1, 215 pounds), production in a college spread offense at Oklahoma and a few behavioral glitches brought comparisons to Johnny Manziel. Like Mayfield, Manziel was a brash, undersized quarterback Cleveland picked in the first round who won the Heisman Trophy.

Manziel is hoping to rebuild his self-destructed career in Canada. Mayfield is the toast of a town thirsting to fill a void left by LeBron James’ departure from the Cavaliers to the Lakers. No pressure or anything. After coming off the bench in the second half to lead the Browns to a 2117 win over the New York Jets in a nationally televised Thursday night game on Sept. 20, Mayfield’s start against the Raiders has taken a ho-hum match-up and made it must-see TV.

“It comes with the territory,” Mayfield told Cleveland reporters after coach Hue Jackson named him the starter. “That is what I signed up for. I am living my dream and I would not have it any other way. Without pressure, I do not think this would be very much fun.”

The Jets may not be world beaters, but the Raiders, 0-3 and struggling defensively, have their hands full. The Browns (1-1-1 after going 1-31 the previous two seasons) couldn’t get going under Tyrod Taylor, but caught fire as Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards. Mayfield even caught a 2-point conversion pass on a trick play.

“He makes a lot of plays when there is nothing there, he makes plays happen when there is something there,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “In the pocket when it’s clean, he can hit open receivers. When nobody is open and he has to move around, he has a lot of Jeff Garcia in him.

“He’s got a really good competitive spirit about him. I love the way he plays.”

With all due respect to Garcia, the Browns are expecting more. Much more.

Jackson was adamant throughout training camp that Mayfield would initially play behind Taylor, who was acquired from Buffalo.

The Browns and everyone else watched closely. The fiery side of Mayfield got the better of him at Oklahoma when he twice issued public apologies, once after planting a flag in the middle of the “O” on the field after beating Ohio State, and another time for an obscene gesture and yelling profanities

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Browns (1-1-1) at Raiders (0-3), Sunday,

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at Kansas coaches following a 41-3 win.

There was also a public intoxication arrest in February 2017.

Yet Mayfield was all business during training camp. His work ethic and preparation impressed coaches and teammates as much as his ability to move the offense.

Mayfield also showed his personality during the Browns’ rookie show with a spot-on impression of general manager John Dorsey which aired on the HBO show “Hard Knocks.”

Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 at Oklahoma.

“I think he took it as an opportunity to grow, to learn so that when his time did come, he would go out there and nail it and that’s what he was able to do,” Jackson told Bay Area media by conference call.”

It happened a little later than it did for the Raiders’ Derek Carr, who started the season opener as a rookie. Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said the Browns eventually came to the same conclusion. The kid was good to go.

“He had a lot of success in college, much like Derek. He played in a lot of games, just like Derek, and he’s got a great passion for the game,” Olson said. “I’m sure it’s similar to the way he prepares during the week. As a coaching staff, when you see that, you have a pretty good feel for whether or not he’s ready.”

While the deeply religious Carr and Mayfield aren’t similar in terms of personality, they are kindred spirits when it comes to passion, a willingness to work and football savvy.

“I’m fiery, I know he is too,” Carr said. “I bet he would say the same thing — we’re just being ourselves. That’s why when we were younger people told us, ‘You should play quarterback.’ I’m sure coaches along the way said, ‘This guy will inspire somebody.’ ”

Mayfield sees himself as a point guard as much as a quarterback, distributing the ball to those in position to score.

“You could be a terrible quarterback talent-wise, but as long as you make the players around you better, you’re doing your job,” Mayfield said. “My job is to get the ball in their hands … that’s what they are paid to do. They are the playmakers. I’ve always had that mentality, let them do the work.”

While Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley didn’t seem to always agree on the “Hard Knocks” series, they are in concert when it comes to Mayfield and his first start.

“He did a terrific job giving us a chance to win,” Haley said. “Now this is the real test. He set the bar real high. I don’t know that every week is going to go like that went.”