HEISMAN WINNER MAYFIELD GOES NO. 1
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cleveland Browns, once again, have a new franchise quarterback.
With the first pick in the 2018 draft Thursday, the Browns pulled off a stunning move to draft Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy last season.
Browns general manager John Dorsey did extensive work on all of the top quarterbacks in this draft but kept his preference for Mayfield largely secret. Buzz about Mayfield’s potential to be the top pick didn’t begin to build until the final 24 hours before the draft. Mayfield was not at the draft.
Despite Mayfield’s prowess in college — he threw 41 touchdown passes and completed 70% of his passes for the Sooners last season — he was an unlikely choice for the No. 1 pick because of his size and questions about his oversized personality. Mayfield measured in at just under 6-1. But the Browns, clearly sold on Mayfield’s swagger and leadership, now hope he can turn around a franchise that has won one game in the past two seasons.
The New York Giants took Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, considered far and above the best running back in the draft, at No. 2.
The New York Jets took Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold at No. 3, and the Browns chose Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward at 4.