That isn't the question you should be asking...the questionS you should be asking is: 1) Should Drew Brees have been the #1 pick of the 2001 NFL draft? The only one you could argue in hindsight is LaDainian Tomlinson, but he doesn't have any rings..No other player comes close to this second round draftee in terms of career...NOT EVEN CLOSE. 2) Should Russell Wilson have been the #1 pick of the 2012 NFL draft? I understand Andrew Luck was the "best prospect to come out since Manning", but even setting injuries aside, Luck hasn't had the career Wilson has after 5 years in the league. Including a ring... #Nevertheless, There's no way he should have lasted to the 3rd round 3) Should Sonny Jergunsen have been the #1 pick of the 1957 NFL draft? Probably not, that draft produced 9 HOFers (including himself)...but should he have been taken in the first round instead of the 4th? Absolutely 5) Should Fran Tarkenton have been the #1 pick of the 1961 NFL draft? This one is a no brainer...YES, he should have been taken before the 3rd round, without doubt, but he really should have been the #1 overall pick of this draft. So, let's stop with the archaic, "it's never happened before, so you shouldn't do it" BS...He's the best QB in this draft and could possibly be the best player in the draft. #1 might be too low to take him...If there were a pick higher, I would say that's the one you should shoot for. What are you ALWAYS saying? "I'm talking about winning Super Bowls, not just being a starter in the league"...So your contradictions continue for the argument of the day...What is it that you and SAS tell me? "Excuses" "Excuses"
This wins - and should silence - any size-based arguments at quarterback ever again. Russell Wilson > Andrew Luck, regardless of injuries.
There is a rub against this thinking though. GMs are in a production based business that tends to revolve around protection, the same as the scouting community. Scouts will protect themselves by backing into prototypical player fits for position. It's group think to save face - "Well, I wasn't the only one who thought he would bust. Everybody did!". GMs often do the same thing. If they try to force a square peg into a round hole and it turns tits up, they have to completely own that mistake. For that reason, 6' and under quarterbacks will always get pushed down boards. If you draft the prototype and he flops it may cost you your job. If you draft a player that is considered an outlier by the football community (owners, GMs, coaches, scouts) and he fails, the chances of you losing your job increase by a significant amount.
I understand the "safe route" way of thinking. But, in this case in 2018 NFL Draft prospects, Baker Mayfield is the safest pick of all the QBs. Period...Size or otherwise, he has the most upside of any other QB in this draft. Why? Because he has shown every throw at the collegiate level, he has done it at a higher rate of accuracy and efficiency than any other QB to ever play college football. If he was allowed to get measured in 2" heels, we wouldn't be arguing any of these points. His film is cleaner than any other QB prospect, his decision making during plays is better than any other QB prospect, his teammates show his leadership incessantly, he's done it more than any other QB prospect in this draft and STILL stayed consistent improving, not once, but 3 times over his 4 year career. Let me repeat that, he has NEVER regressed in his collegiate career, despite making two jumps...one from high school to Texas Tech(as a walk on) and another jump to a bigger program in Norman, OK (as a walk on). 6' 3/8" tall drunken disorderly conduct arrest (only trouble he has ever been in, with 4 years as a starter in Oklahoma) Planting a flag on a turf field grabbing his crotch during a game These are the ONLY 4 reasons any one that discusses the college football/NFL amateur draft have for reasons why Baker Mayfield should not be the first pick of the draft. Pretty thin case...
I understand that both SAS and yourself have come to this conclusion but that is not how he is going to be viewed by the majority of the football world. I disagree with this for various reasons but I have read enough of your posts here to understand your convictions. If he gets taken #1 overall by the Browns, I hope he ends up being everything that the both of you are stating he is. I still have Rudolph at #1 but I'm not expecting many people to agree with that.
I would say I have been pretty harsh on QBs over recent years. I graded out DeShaun Watson as the best QB of his class, but stated I wouldn't take him in the top ten... I graded out Carson Wentz as the only QB in his class I would draft, but not in the first round... Baker Mayfield is the only QB since Andrew Luck, that I felt was the hands down #1 overall pick type of QB....... Now, that being said...He's still a rookie...I would still love to have a proven Kirk Cousins come in here and give us an immediate chance at the playoffs. which would forgo what I consider one of the better prospects to come along in the last decade or better.
The only real knock I have against Rudolph is his mobility. He's not as prone to use his feet to extend plays. IMHO he throws a much better deep ball than Mayfield. I can see Haley falling in love with this kid.
We can't afford to pigeon hole a QB based on one ability...Overall is why I have Mayfield #1 He is #1, #2 or #3 on nearly every aspect chart, except height...No other QB can boast that
I'm not trying to knock Mayfield at all for his physical stature. I'm not even trying to imply that that he can't make ALL the throws. I personally liked what I saw when watching Rudolph stand in the pocket / step up in the pocket and lay a deep ball right where his WR could run under it and make the play. Out side of Rudolph, Mayfield is the ONLY other QB that I would even consider with the #1 pick. I fully believe that the Browns regardless of which QB they sign in FA should use the #1 selection for the QB that they feel is the #1 QB on their board!
Yeah! Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, and Tom Brady are bums. Whereas JaMarcus Russell, David Carr, and Sam Bradford are HOF-worthy. #PigeonChess #WhatAJoke
