Cleveland Browns: How many quarterbacks do you take over Baker Mayfield?

Baker Mayfield has been nothing short of a revelation for the Cleveland Browns, but how good is he? Who would you rather have?

With Baker Mayfield’s impressive rookie year and the streak he’s been on the last five games, a question that keeps coming up is just howly does the Cleveland Browns rookie rank among NFL quarterbacks. The answer to that question is a little murky and he’s somewhere between 11 and 20 depending on various factors, but the more interesting question that should have fans of the Browns excited, is how many quarterbacks in the NFL would they take in exchange for Mayfield?

There are a few ground rules. The quarterbacks are as they are, not what they might have been if the Browns had drafted them, either positively or negatively. Contracts are irrelevant, but the current four-year window the Browns have to potentially win a Super Bowl is not. In other words, the Browns could get 41-year old Tom Brady, but they’d have him for the next four years too. Last, add in their potential for the future, so factor in a curve of improvement.

Those factors in play, let’s look at the quarterbacks that can be ruled out immediately, which are anyone who plays quarterback for the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals. None of them are higher than the low 20s as far as quarterback go in this league.

The other rookies in the class don’t come close to Mayfield currently. Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen are both quarterbacks with significant talent in awful situations. They could end up being great quarterbacks, but it’s impossible to justify going with them over what Mayfield has already shown. As for Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, they have yet to figure out the concept of a forward pass.

Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, the top two picks of the 2015 NFL Draft are both just good enough to get their teams beat. Winston looks like he’s on his way out of Tampa and Ryan Fitzpatrick may not be as much of an issue off the field, he’s no better on it. While it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mariota get a lucrative contract extension, it would be a terrible investment by the Tennessee Titans based on how he’s played to this point.

Joe Flacco is 33 and has been on a steady downward trend, which is why the Baltimore Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson. Derek Carr is better than he’s given credit for, but he’s not as good as Mayfield. Mitchell Trubisky is a nice quarterback prospect, but he’s still playing with training wheels and the Chicago Bears win despite him more often than because of him at this point.

Onto the quarterbacks who can at least make a case, but still ultimately fall short.

Tom Brady – He may well be the greatest quarterback of all time. He also turns 42 in August, so assuming he even plays next season, you have to win the Super Bowl that next year, because there’s no counting on a second or third opportunity.

Drew Brees – Brees is still playing lights out football, but he’s 39 and the New Orleans Saints have already been trying to reduce their reliance on him in the offense. In the playoffs, if they need to ride Brees, they will, but it’s just a matter of how many years Brees can provide. The Saints appear to be trying to insure themselves against this by trading for Teddy Bridgewater.

Kirk Cousins – Cousins puts up outstanding statistics every year. Going strictly by the numbers he’s a great quarterback. The issue with Cousins is whether with the Washington Redskins or Minnesota Vikings, the indelible mark on Cousins is a game losing turnover in the fourth quarter.  I would take Mayfield over Cousins, but I could see some taking Cousins.

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Jimmy Garoppolo – The darling of the NFL for about 20 minutes, Garoppolo has talent, but he’s only flashed his ability between sitting behind Tom Brady and injuries. He’s done more on the field than the other rookies in the class, but his track record is just as short and Mayfield has been better.

Case Keenum – Keenum is a very, steady nice quarterback. He won’t get you beat, but he’s also not likely to elevate the talent around him and take a team further than they were already going to go.

Cam Newton – Newton has the body of a god, but he’s never developed as a passer the way one would hope. He can make jaw dropping throws but he leaves too many on the field. And with the beating he’s taken in his NFL career, his body is starting to wear down from his ankle to his shoulder. It’s possible that Newton’s best football is already behind him at just 29 years old.

Dak Prescott – Prescott is bigger and stronger than Mayfield with more mobility and is a threat in that capacity. As an overall quarterback, Mayfield is simply better as a rookie than Prescott in year three.

Ben Roethlisberger – Roethlisberger is a lock for the hall of fame, but he’s also been wildly inconsistent the past two seasons. Someone that has flirted with retirement, is incredibly sensitive, criticizes his teammates in public but throws a fit when they do the same and has cost the Steelers a number of games this year. He’s currently still a better quarterback than Mayfield in an any given Sunday circumstance, but over the course of the season, Mayfield is now more consistent.

Matt Ryan – The most statistically accomplished quarterback in the league never to really do anything. He will always put up great numbers and he may end up in the Hall of Fame as a result, but there’s always something missing. He struggles against pressure and he’s been spoiled with weapons for the breadth of his career.

Alex Smith – In a world where Alex Smith has a healthy leg, he’s at least someone who can make a case for himself. He was well on his way to taking his third different franchise to the playoffs before the injury. Now, his career is in question.

Matthew Stafford – Stafford has all the ability in the world as a passer and at times, can look like the best quarterback on the planet. The problem is he’s a roller coaster ride and while his supporting cast has often been a problem, too often he is the reason for his struggles. The fact that Stafford is still just 30 years old and could potentially play for another decade is a reason to hope he’s still growing as a quarterback, but Mayfield’s consistency is more attractive. He may not produce quite as many highs, but he won’t have nearly as many lows either.

Deshaun Watson – Watson’s a dual threat quarterback that has been successful with the Houston Texans and appears to be headed to his first playoff berth with the team. His mobility is a threat, but his arm is nowhere near Mayfield’s and part of what makes Watson a threat is also what may get him killed. He holds onto the ball too long and takes a ton of hits, many he could avoid and he’s already had two knee major knee surgeries.

The coin flips. There’s no wrong answer here, largely just a matter of preference.

Jared Goff – His transformation from his awful rookie year to now is nothing short of remarkable. He’s become one of the most dangerous passers in the NFL, showcasing pinpoint accuracy on difficult throws. There are still warts with Goff’s game like his fumbles and how he deals with pressure. I’d take Mayfield, but Goff’s still a very good passer.

Philip Rivers – Rivers is outstanding and is arguably having the best season of his career. It’s remarkable that as good as he’s been, his teams haven’t enjoyed more success. The only question with Rivers, age 37, is how much longer he plans to play. He could play most or all of the Browns window and has the ability to lead a team to the Super Bowl.

Carson Wentz – He suffered the unfortunate knee injury, but he’s still young and a quarterback who is carrying the Philadelphia Eagles offense. Wentz fumbles the ball too much, but his size and strength combined with his ability as a passer are tantalizing and helped lead the team to the Super Bowl, even if he was unable to play in it.

The chosen few to take over Mayfield

Aaron Rodgers – The best quarterback going currently, he has elevated some extremely questionable players, offenses and teams, taking them farther than they had any business going. He just turned 35, so he should be at the peak of his powers for another few seasons and he’s the best bet of any quarterback in the league to take a team like the Browns to a Super Bowl.

Russell Wilson – Wilson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he’s now being asked to drag a garbage team to every win he can get them. The Seattle Seahawks were a popular pick to finish near the bottom of the league in the standings and they are currently in position to grab a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

Patrick Mahomes – Mahomes has the best arm in football and one of the better athletes. He knows how to use both at a high level and he’s putting up numbers like Dan Marino did when he entered the league and like Marino, could find himself in the Super Bowl in his second season. There may be things Mayfield does better than Mahomes, but there are aspects of Mahomes’ game that Mayfield will never be able to do.

Andrew Luck – Luck is back and perhaps better than ever. The questions with his shoulder will always be there, but he’s got the prototype. Size, strength, mobility, the arm to be able to do almost anything and on top of everything else, he’s brilliant.

Is Baker Mayfield the fifth best quarterback in the league?

Absolutely not. But for the Cleveland Browns and the current window they have to make a big run and potentially win a Super Bowl, there are only four quarterbacks that you can point to and say, yes, I would replace Mayfield for this guy and not at least get a good argument.

There’s no question that Mayfield’s career could completely fall apart and this will all be for not. It happened to Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins. It happened to Greg Cook with the Cincinnati Bengals. Nevertheless, given where Mayfield is right now and where he looks like he’s capable of going, it says quite a bit about Mayfield and the situation the Browns have.