New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Target: Baker Mayfield
The New York Jets own the sixth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here, we take a look at a player they may pick: Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The New York Jets will have the sixth overall pick in 2018 NFL Draft for the third time in the last four years. They have hit a home run, so to speak, with Leonard Williams (2015) and Jamal Adams (2017) in that slot. Can they do it again?
Gang Green may be looking for a young franchise quarterback in that spot. If so, the top three prospects — Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen — could very well be off the board by then. This is supposed to be a very talented class for signal-callers so unless the Jets trade up, that talented trio could be gone. If New York does not sign free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, they may turn their eyes to Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner led the Sooners to the college football semifinals where they lost a thrilling 54-48 double overtime contest to Georgia. Mayfield tossed two touchdowns in that game and finished his senior season with 43 touchdown passes and just six interceptions.
Let’s take a look at some of his highlights via YouTube:
The 6-1, 209-pounder took the vast majority of his snaps from the shotgun during his collegiate career. He is going to need time to get used to a pro style offense and taking snaps under center. Although Mayfield is known as a fiery competitor and leader, he has had maturity issues along the way. He had to issue an apology after grabbing his crotch and cursing at Kansas players last November. He has to grow up.
The Austin, TX native has a world of talent but it would behoove the team that drafts him to have a veteran quarterback in place while Mayfield learns the ropes. If that team is the Jets, then a scenario where Josh McCown is the starting quarterback and mentor to Mayfield makes the most sense. For just one year though. Mayfield would have to be New York’s starting signal-caller by 2019.
As his highlight video shows, Mayfield possesses a pretty strong arm and escapability when a play breaks down. His mobility allows him to extend plays until one of his receivers breaks free. He has quick feet and effective scrambling ability. Mayfield throws the ball with nice touch on short tosses, especially on screen passes and quick slants.
On the flip side, Mayfield needs to get used to taking snaps from underneath center instead of in shotgun formation, which he did most of his career at Oklahoma. That’s a major adjustment he has to make on the pro level. He also needs to improve his accuracy on deep throws and he has “happy feet” at times in the pocket. That’s where he bounces around waiting for someone to get open but that can affect his base on long passes. He has a gunslinger’s mentality where he seems to always want to make the huge play. Sometimes a quick check-down would do the trick instead.
Next: Grading each 2017 first-round pick after rookie year
Grabbing Mayfield at No. 6 overall in this year’s draft is too rich for my blood. He would make more sense in the middle part of the first round. If the Jets moved down and took him somewhere in the 15-16 range, I would be fine with that. That’s where his value lies. He is not ready to step right in and be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Mayfield has huge upside but he requires more time to develop. Whatever team selects him must have a veteran signal-caller in place because the former Sooner won’t be seeing much playing time in 2018.